Hazaribagh is witnessing the downwards movement of mercury in the last 3-4 days. After hovering around 10-11 degrees Celsius for more than a week from last 24 hours, the mercury dipped on Thursday night. The minimum temperature is expected to remain around 7-8 degree Celsius.
After end of heat of electioneering, on Thursday morning, chilly winds welcomed the denizens of Hazaribagh. Though for the denizens of Hazaribagh winter season is yet not at its extreme but certainly it has crossed the limit beyond which a poor can survive without help.
Every year the administration and social workers arranged to equip the poor of the district to fight cold. Distribution of blankets and arrangement of fire at important and selected spots of the town and blocks has always been in the 'must to-do' list of administration since last several decades.
This year, both administration and social workers were engaged in assembly election so everyone perhaps forgot about it. Till date the distribution of blankets has not been started both by administration and social workers while till last year after festival of Chhath the local administration had always started it.
Every year on the appeal of local administration NGOs and capable peoples donates cash or blankets for the poor. Administration first collects it and then distributes it among the needy ones. This year perhaps appeal has not been made so there is no response visible. The time has not gone and if DC and other senior officials will make an appeal certainly the people will come forward and the poor of this district will be once again able to fight the cold terror. Every year the administration arranges firewood for those who work during night like rickshaw pullers, roadside vendors, guards, labors etc. to get warmth. Passengers who arrive during night at bus stands also get benefitted every year by the burning firewood.
Temperature is going down rapidly, making it difficult to be out after late evening but yet forest and local administration has not started supplying firewood on selected spots. Collecting blankets and then its distribution may take time but the administration can arrange firewood immediately to give relief to the poor.