BJP team makes sudden inspection of night shelters

THOUSANDS OF HELPLESS PEOPLE ARE SHIVERING UNDER OPEN SKY IN THE INTENSE COLD CONDITIONS DUE TO LACK OF NIGHT SHELTERS-VIJENDER GUPTA

BJP Delhi Pradesh President Shri Vijender Gupta made a sudden inspection of night shelters at Chandni Chowk and other places being run by the Delhi Government today. He found that the condition of night shelters is pathetic. This year even tents have not been provided in the night shelters. Due to lack of space, thousands of poor peoples do not get accommodation and they are compelled to pass night in open sky, shivering in the cold. The sufferers told that they are not allowed to enter night shelters after 8.00 p.m. because there is no space available. They have to pay 3 rupees per person for visiting toilet which should be free from any charge. They are driven out at 5.00 a.m. itself. There is arrangement for only 3000 people to pass night in the night shelters run by Government in entire Delhi whereas more than 1 lakh helpless people are compelled to pass night in open sky in the capital. Shri Vijender Gupta has demanded the Committee constituted by High Court to enquire into these discrepancies and punish the guilty persons.

Shri Gupta told that the provision of drinking water, blankets, beds, toilets, sanitations is not sufficient and there is not arrangements for doctors in need. The number of night shelters this year is less than last year. Delhi Government told the High Court that the number of night shelters this year is less because the number of peoples coming in these shelters is very negligible. The reality is quite contrary to it. Many people were found shivering in the open sky in front of the night shelter at Chandni Chowk. These are the people who could not get place in the night shelter. Even security arrangements are not there. There is no arrangement of firewood in these shelters. There is no arrangement for medicines in case of cold exposure.

Chandni Chowk District President Jai Prakash (JP), Pradesh Media Convenor Vivek Sharma, Mandal President Anand Prakash Bhartiya, Councillor Suman Kumar Gupta and other workers were present with the Pradesh President at the time of sudden inspection of the night shelters. The BJP inspection team visited the night shelters for more than 2 hours and knew the reality. Government is playing with the life of lakhs of helpless poor peoples sleeping under open sky in entire Delhi. Thousands of people are passing their night on the footpaths risking their life in the intense cold conditions.

It may be mentioned that inspite of the directorate of Delhi High Court, again and again only 64 night shelters have been constructed in Delhi. In view of the population of Delhi atleast 200 ulltra modern night shelters should be constructed on permanent basis but the Government has not discharged its responsibility. The Government has handed over the supervision of night shelters being run at present to an apex organization of voluntary organizations at the cost of Rs. 1 lakh per month, per night, per shelter. Many Co-Voluntary Organizations running the night shelters have alleged that Mother India only pays 2.25 lakh rupees for 3 months.  The balance 75 thousands rupees are kept by it. Shri Vijender Gupta has demanded the Lt. Governor to order an enquiry into this allegation.

           

Winter season is at its climax but Delhi Government is claiming to be constructing night shelters even today. If one agrees with the Government then 84 night shelters are under construction. Government has informed the High Court that besides the night shelters being run by Delhi Government at present 118 night shelters are functioning. Construction of 32 night shelters is yet to start. Shri Gupta has asked the Chief Minister that why Delhi Government did not make arrangements for night shelters before the start of winter season because this is her moral and executive responsibility. He further told that Delhi Government is misleading the High Court in the case of night shelters.