Ensure no death due to cold: SC directive to govt

Observing that "our heart bleeds when we see homeless persons sleeping without roof in this winter," the Supreme Court today directed the government to ensure that there are no deaths on account of the biting cold conditions in the country."Our heart bleeds when we see homeless persons sleeping without roof in this winter. You can't permit your own children to die in winter", a bench of justices Dalveer Bhandari and Dipak Mishra told Additional Solicitor General Mohan Parasaran appearing for Delhi government.The apex court made the remarks while referring to media reports and photographs highlighting instances of scores of people sleeping on the pavements outside the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS). Parasaran told the court that due to security reasonsAIIMS had demolished the night shelter earlier constructed by the government but assured steps would be taken to set up a temporary night shelter at the place.[caption id="attachment_176911" align="alignleft" width="380" caption="Our heart bleeds when we see homeless persons sleeping without roof in this winter: SC. Reuters"][/caption]But the apex court expressed displeasure at the statement and said "you are quick in demolishing instead of constructing. It is a serious problem. It must not happen any more. You have to protect your own people."The ASG told the court that Delhi government had facilitated construction of 64 permanent shelters in the national capital.But the contention was challenged by the petitioner Peoples Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL)'s counsel Colin Gonzalves who said hardly any of the shelter homes had occupants and there was "near zero occupancy."PTI