220 inmates of crowded Delhi destitutes home to be shifted

NEW DELHI - Delhi’s social welfare department secretary Manoj Parida Monday said that some 220 inmates will be shifted from the crowded Asha Kiran home for destitutes to other places and NGOs would look after their food and security needs.

However, Minister Mangat Ram Singhal voiced displeasure over it.

Emerging from the cabinet meeting, Parida told reporters that in a bid to de-congest Asha Kiran home, some 220 inmates will be shifted to other places and non-governmental organisations will take care of their security, food and other needs.

He said a care quality committee to monitor NGOs will also be formed under Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta and representatives from the NGOs. However, the minister said he was ignorant of any such decision in the cabinet.

“The proposal about NGOs put forward by the official had only two names, which I objected as they did not have much experience in the field,” Singhal told reporters.

The two places identified where the destitutes will be shifted are - Dwarka (100) and Bindapur (120).

The decision was taken after finding that the Asha Kiran complex was crowded with 738 inmates against a capacity 350.

However, a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office confirmed the secretary’s view on the decision taken by the cabinet, which the minister apparently seemed to be ignorant of despite being present in the meeting.

“After following the due procedure, the two NGOs chosen for the task. FCS foundation, Noida, has been found suitable for Dwarka home and GRS security services, Gurgaon for Bindapur,” the statement read.

Rs.6,016 per inmate per month was proposed in the cabinet for the Dwarka home with a capacity of 100 inmates, whereas Rs.5,509 per inmate per month was proposed for the Bindapur home with a capacity of 120 inmates.

“The agreement will remain valid for 10 years and could be renewed on mutual consent,” the statement read.

All the inmates are selected by the city government.

According to a source, secretary Parida is going on a deputation from Tuesday.