New Delhi, 19th March, 2014
The National Human Rights Commission has given further time of four weeks to the Government of NCT of Delhi, through its Chief Secretary, after it could not submit reports into the allegations made in the media about the inadequacy of Shelter Homes and lack of infrastructure therein for homeless persons in the National Capital. Through its notices in the month of January, 2014, the Commission had also directed the Delhi Government to inform about the steps taken to protect the poor homeless persons from cold.
The Commission had taken suo motu cognizance of related media reports and registered three cases. It had observed that the pathetic conditions of the homeless persons was a matter of concern as they lived in open even during extremely cold nights.
The media had reported that over 1.5 lakh destitute persons were spending life on footpaths and over-bridges in Delhi either due to shortage of Shelter Homes or lack of facilities in the existing ones and deaths of homeless persons in different parts of the National Capital.
One of the reports alleged that two homeless persons were found dead at a distance of 30 to 40 feet from each other near a Shelter Home in the Yamuna Pusta area on the 1st January, 2014. Another report, carried on the 19th January, 2014, stated that six persons died around Kashmere Gate in North Delhi. Further, a report said that due to the absence of night shelters, 12 homeless persons died during the last 24 hours.
Reportedly, there were only 175 shelter homes in Delhi, which catered around 7 thousand homeless. These Homes too were facing scarcity of infrastructure and sanitation. According to the plan of the Delhi Development Authority, which was yet to be implemented, there must be a night shelter in every area having one-lakh population. Despite Government's orders, the Shelter Homes in Delhi were lying unattended even after the mercury reached four degree below normal.
The Commission had issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and the Chief Executive Officer, Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board, Government of NCT of Delhi calling for reports.
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