Former SC Judge Warns: Viksit Bharat Eludes Affordable Housing, Public Healthcare

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Former Supreme Court judge A.S. Oka emphasized that India's vision of a developed nation, Viksit Bharat, cannot be achieved without addressing pressing issues such as affordable housing, public healthcare, and quality education. Speaking at a recent event, Oka criticized the current approach to development, which he believes prioritizes grand infrastructure projects over essential needs. In his address, Oka pointed out that the availability of affordable housing is a fundamental aspect of a developed nation. He questioned whether India has made significant progress in creating affordable accommodations in its cities over the past 25 years, where lower-middle-class citizens can afford to live. The former judge also highlighted the lack of public hospitals, emphasizing that Viksit Bharat entails more than just constructing roads and airports. Oka also expressed concerns about the government's failure to ensure a clean and pollution-free environment, a fundamental right of every citizen. He noted that the responsibility for environmental conservation lies with the government and its agencies but has been largely neglected. Environmentalists and courts have stepped in to fill the gap, but Oka urged citizens to take personal responsibility for protecting the environment. Former Delhi High Court judge Najmi Waziri echoed Oka's sentiments, emphasizing that citizens must take ownership of environmental protection. Waziri criticized the institutions entrusted with this duty for their failure to deliver, stating that it is the collective responsibility of citizens to safeguard their environment and ensure a better quality of life for all.