Writ Petition © No. 196 of 2001
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Order dated 10/2/2010 Item No.1
The Additional Solicitor General has filed a status report which stated that the Chief Secretary, NCT of Delhi has decided to double the existing number of accommodations in the night shelters through the Municipal Corporation of Delhi from 5000 persons to a capacity of 10, 000 persons.The Revenue Department of Delhi Government has pitched in 7 more night shelters at Raghuvir Nagar, Sarai Kale Khan, Azadpur Fruit Mandi, Kamla Market, Mata Sundari Road, Nigambodh Ghat and Shahdara taking the total number to 24. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi is also providing night shelters in permanent buildings and now taking the total number to 64 which has resulted in an increase in capacity from 4165 persons to 8575 persons there are an additional 37 night shelters.
Necessary facilities such as blankets, drinking water, mobile toilets and regular health check ups were provided in the night shelters. The Government has instructed all the Revenue Deputy Commissioners to coordinate the exercise with various Departments/agencies so as to effectively monitor the shelters. The court noted that the media has adequately publicized the court order so that the homeless can get information about the shelter homes. Learned Additional Solicitor General submits that the Government will develop proper guidelines to monitor the night shelters in consultation with the NGOs within four weeks.
The Master Plan of Delhi 2021 provides for one night shelter per one lakh population. The Delhi Development Authority has undertaken to identify and allot sites free of cost or on concessional rates to Government of NCT of Delhi in view of this being a humanitarian work. The provision of night shelters should cater to the shelterless which should be provided near the railway terminals, bus terminals, wholesale/retail markets, freight complexes and near major work centers. Special provisions should be made for the homeless women and children including disabled, orphans and old people.
The Government of Delhi should aim to develop self-sustaining night shelters. The Delhi Development Authority is duty bound to plan and cater for the public needs for providing night shelter and identified available places providing night shelter for benefit of affected people. Notices were issued to all states for providing one night shelter for a population of one lakh in the metropolitan towns.
The Food and Supplies department issued an order on 9th November 2009 by which 14850 persons out of a total number of 15000 presently identified are entitled to 10 litres of Kerosene Oil and 15 Kgs Wheat and 5kgs Rice or vice-verca as per their food habits at BPL rates. The validity of these card has been expanded from three months to six months and which can be easily renewed after that and to enable processing of new BPL/AAY applications.
The Deputy Commissioners of the nine districts have the power issue ration cards of all the vulnerable and most vulnerable categories. The Mission Convergence database of 3.5 lakhs vulnerable households and 2.5 lakhs most vulnerable households will be used for issue of fresh BPL/AAY cards as per eligibility norms.
The court noted that there is urgent need for providing residential homes for street children, especially those without any adult protection so that their food health and education can be taken care of.
For Detailed WRIT PETITION (C) NO.196 OF 2001-ITEM NO-1