JOIN USDespite being one of the most heavily populated metros in the country, Delhi attracts thousands of migrants from all over the country, especially Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. But where do these people – who arrive here in the search of a better livelihood stay, as most of them are labourers and rickshaw pullers? And how do they cope without a roof over their heads?
For the betterment of these homeless, the government has established over 66 permanent and 84 temporary night shelters where they are said to be provided with basic amenities. Of these, two are closed. But, the picture is not as rosy as painted by the authorities.
The state of many shelters is abysmal - to put it mildly. So much so, that those using them are deprived of even basics like water and toilets. Indu Prakash, head, CityMakers programme Indo-Global Social Service Society, blames the government for cheating even on basic facilities. “Many shelters do not have toilets and proper water. Of those that do, the toilets are locked at 9 pm and opened only at 6 am.
These are necessities and how can people be deprived on these issues? Another problem that the inmates face is routine police brutality. Cops randomly pick up people from these shelters on some fictitious charge or the other. Worse, they are finger-printed!”
Sheru Singh, who has been residing in the Fatehpuri night shelter for the last four years, says, “Electricity is an issue. We also don’t get water during power cuts. Security is a worry in the shelter as well, as there is nobody to keep a check on those who come to live here.”
But if the government is lacking sorely, help is pouring in from other quarters. Some NGOs’ have been working for betterment of these shelters and their residents. Nitesh Kumar, project coordinator for Society for Promotion of Youth and Masses (SPYM) manages 16 shelters: “Before admitting a homeless in the shelters we check out their background. We ask them for their City contact and a permanent address proof from their native state. They are also provided with dinner for a mere Rs 10 which consists of dal, rice, rotis and a sabzi. We also provide banking and locker facilities to the homeless.”
The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) a government body is responsible for distributing funds to all the NGOs managing the shelters in the City. Each shelter is given Rs 35,000 per month in which the salary of three caretakers, one sweeper, administration costs and miscellaneous costs is included.
Mother NGO is another organisation working for these homeless and has made 84 porta cabins (portable shelters) for the homeless. According to Dr Javed Khan, its project manager, one per cent of the total population is homeless in the City, i.e. approx 1.5 lakhs. “Earlier the shelters used to be made from tents but now they are made from tins and even with concrete. These people are provided facilities like health camps and adult education. Also after the recent fire accident in one of the shelters, we have deployed assistant engineers who go and check wiring for loose fittings.”