The death of two inmates in a span of two days has once again brought the Nari Niketan into the limelight, raising questions about the way the Government-run shelter home for destitude women is
being run.
Taking a serious note of the incidents, Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Tuesday asked the officials concerned to incorporate all the health details of the inmates while preparing their health cards.
This would help them to keep track of things, he said, adding that they have increased allocation for the home to enable the management to meet the hiked expenses. By way of interim arrangement, one doctor should visit Nari Niketan daily to check health of the inmates. This aside, competent nurses should be deputed here for 24 hours to maintain diet chart of each of the inmates, he announced "Besides, steps must be taken to keep those suffering from serious illness away from the normal inmates," he said, while stressing that those down with serious mental problems should be kept in segregation from the mentally normal inmates. He suggested the observation home be shifted from Nari Niketan to enable the inmates enjoy more space in the shelter home's premises. He gave these directives while presiding over review meeting involving the chief secretary and other senior officers at Bijapur on Tuesday. The meeting was focused on the state of things at Nari Niketan and other homes run by the State welfare department , housing the orphans and other children kept under custody.
He stressed on the inmates being provided with healthy, hygienic food and clean water.
"Currently, Nari Niketan gets Rs 1600 per month per inmate from social welfare department. Now the amount is being increased to Rs 3000. The rooms should be clean having proper ventilation," he said.
CM stressed on through inspection of Nari Niketan along with other State-run orphanages and the homes meant for the children under custody. "We are concerned with reports of death of the inmates pouring in regularly. The stem the rot, the things causing them must be identified first and dealt with in the right manner. ADM must probe things and submit the report to the DM, recommending measures of how to make the homes better for the inmates than what they are now," CM said.
He asked for special measures for those who are mentally fit and are staying in the homes with their relatives refusing to take them back. "A place in Sela-Qui should be earmarked to house these wretched girls and women," CM said.
Along with suggesting these steps, CM asked the officials to ensure that the inmates get proper education and training. "They must not be felt uncared for. The State government is with them solidly to help them to live with heads held high. We are doing everything to make life of the inmates healthier and happier. We are leaving nothing to chances," he added.
Among others, chief secretary Shatrughan singh, additional chief secretary S Raju, principal secretaries Omprakash and Radha Raturi, secretary Health Dr Bhupinder Kaur Aulakh, ADGP AK Raturi, IG Sanjay Gunjyal, Dehradun DM Ravinath Raman andDG Health Dr RP Bhatt attended the meeting.