The lieutenant Governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung has urged the citizens of Delhi and the charitable organisations to lend support to the poorest of the poor by donating blankets, warm clothes to combat chilly winter in the city, but to be contributed only at the night shelters.
Delhi Government has set 221 night shelters with basic amenities like bedding, clean drinking water, toilets, blankets etc. These shelters have
accessibility throughout the day and the beneficiaries are not charged. However, the experience of many homeless people who opt to stay on pavements instead of the night shelters tells a different story. Many people have claimed that the blankets provided at the shelters have lice, they are herded like cattle in less accommodating shelters and unhygienic conditions are also a concern.
Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) has stated this was as an excuse to continue sleeping on roads to avail the facilities by NGOs and other voluntary organisations.
lauding the Delhi citizens for their humanitarian spirit, Najeeb Jung said, “life does not always give us the opportunity to display yeoman kindness. This is the time.” Government is taking all the necessary steps to ensure that people are not forced to sleep outside during winters, added Jung.
In the last two days, there has been an appreciable demonstration of compassionate spirit by Delhi citizens at the night shelters in the wake of prevailing winters. Jung has appealed the citizens to encourage homeless to shift to the nearest night shelter where tea and rusks are provided in morning in addition to regular visits by doctors or contact the control room of DUSIB at 011-23378789, 7042296823 and 7042296824. Jung added that it is crucial to make the donations only at the night shelters not on the streets to ensure that people don’t sleep on roads.