The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave the Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (TPDDL) 30 days time to provide electricity connection to Pakistani Hindu migrants residing in Adarsh Nagar area of the national capital.

The order was passed by the Division Bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Subramonium Prasad, while dismissing a PIL seeking directions to include Aadhaar card and long term visa as a sufficient proof in respect of occupancy of the premises, so as to enable them to apply for electricity connections.

Earlier, the power company had demanded proof of ownership of land to supply electricity to them. The migrants were allegedly living on land belonging to the Defence ministry.

The Counsel representing the Centre apprised the court today that a letter giving no objection was issued on November 7.

Noting that since the competent authority has given approval for grant of electricity connections, the Apex Court observed that Tata Power did not have any other choice except to grant electricity connections to all the residents of the area in question.

The Counsel appearing for the petitioners apprised the court that all the beneficiaries were ready to install a prepaid meter, so that the power company did not suffer any loss in case there were any defaulters or default payment of electricity dues.

Earlier in September, the Supreme Court had asked the Centre why no objection certificate was issued to migrants and directed it to look sympathetically into the issue.

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.