Treat homeless people with humanity: Indore official to staff
What's the story
After facing flak for dumping homeless people outside Indore amid the biting cold, the local administration has got into damage control by providing food and shelter to such people, and has asked officials to treat them with "sensitivity and humanity." "Food and bonfires are being arranged in facilities where homeless people are provided shelter at night," Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) officials said on Monday.
Campaign
Campaign launched for rehabilitation and health check-up of beggars
"A campaign has been launched for the rehabilitation and health check-up of beggars," the officials said. Indore Divisional Commissioner (Revenue) and IMC's administrator Pawan Sharma said he has directed officials concerned to rehabilitate beggars and homeless elderly people with "sensitivity and humanity." "There are already ten facilities in Indore for providing night shelter to those from deprived sections," Additional Municipal Commissioner Abhay Rajangaonkar said.
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Food being provided under State Government's Deendayal Rasoi Yojana
"In view of the severe cold weather at present, the homeless elderly people are now also being provided food under the State Government's Deendayal Rasoi Yojana," Rajangaonkar said. "Bonfires have also been arranged for those taking shelter in these facilities," he added.
Indore
Centre's Social Justice Department will launch drive to rehabilitate beggars
Another civic official said they have started a week-long campaign for health check-ups of elderly people and beggars living on footpaths in Indore. "Indore is among ten cities of India selected for the drive of rehabilitating beggars under Centre's Social Justice Department," he said. "People surviving on begging are being identified, and will be provided employment to bring them into the mainstream," he added.
Criticism
Municipal workers were seen dumping homeless elderly people outside Indore
To recall, on Friday, a video on social media showed municipal workers dumping some homeless elderly persons outside the city, drawing sharp criticism from various quarters. District Magistrate Manish Singh on Sunday said he has apologized to God for the local administration's action. Earlier, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had suspended an IMC official in connection with the incident.
Information
Administration is making efforts to win the Swachh Sarvekshan 2021
The civic body has also removed two temporary employees. The incident happened at a time when the Indore administration, which has won India's cleanest city title four times in a row, is trying to keep the city neat to win the Swachh Sarvekshan 2021.