The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought the response of the Union government on the plight of poor Hindu refugees from Pakistan, who have been living in slums in the national capital for the past many years without electricity.
The Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad told the the Central government to file an affidavit in the matter in two weeks.
It demanded the Centre to reply, as to why the NOCs have not been issued to the migrants for the last five-six years for power distribution?
The Bench said that it was hopeful and confident that the Government of India would consider the plight of the refugees sympathetically.
Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited, which was engaged in power supply work in the area, apprised the court that to provide electricity, poles will have to be installed on the ground and for that, an NOC was required.
The High Court observed that the refugees had come to India on long-term visas. They were poor people, without a permanent shelter, but having Aadhar card.
It said attention should be paid to these migrants and fixed October 6 as the nest date of hearing.
The petition was filed by one Hariom, who claimed himself to be a social worker and said that he worked for the welfare of minorities, who have come to India from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.
The petitioner contended that the migrants of Pakistan, especially Sindh province, were living without electricity for the last several years in Adarsh Nagar area of North Delhi.
He said the migrants who came to India from Pakistan due to religious persecution, believed that their children would get have a bright and secure future in India.
As per the petition, small children and women in the area were facing a lot of problems due to non-supply of electricity.
In the absence of power, it has become very difficult for these families to survive, added the plea.
The petitioner pointed out that other migrants from Pakistan, who live in Majnu-ka-Tilla, have been provided with electricity connection and prepaid meters as well.