New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) The city government Wednesday told the Delhi High Court that most of the homeless people do not want to shift to night shelters and that they were involved in drugs-related activities.
A division bench of Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw was informed that a joint inspection was carried out by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) and an NGO, which found that in 12 sites, the homeless people do not want to shift to night shelters.
A DUSIB official told the court that rickshaw pullers refused to shift to shelters saying if they go inside, their rickshaws will be stolen.
"Rickshaw pullers and small shopkeepers refused to go to shelters. They say their rickshaws and goods will be stolen," the official told.
He told the court that 40 percent of the homeless people were drug addicts and he has asked Delhi Police to stop the sale of drugs.
"In Jama Masjid area, I saw a seven-year-old kid inhaling an eraser solution," he told the bench.
Some homeless people were selling the blankets given to them for drugs, he said.
"During the night, people would give blankets if they (homeless) were spotted on the roads. But they would sell the blankets the next morning," he said.
He said Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung was personally taking interest in the issue and has asked people to distribute blankets in night shelters only.
The drug mafia in slum areas was also against putting up night shelters because health officials will inspect the places and the mafia will face difficulty in doing business, he added.
The court had earlier directed the city government and NGO Shahri Adhikar Manch Begharon Ke Liye to visit the places where night shelters were to be set up and submit a report.
The court also pulled up the NGO after its member Indu Prakash said he was unable to visit all the sites as he had gone out of the city.
The NGO had earlier handed over a list of proposed places to build set up shelters.
Prakash told the court that people were staying away from the night shelters citing crowded conditions and lack of hygiene.
The bench, meanwhile, reserved its order after it took up the issue on its own when media reports highlighted the absence of enough and proper night shelters for homeless people in the city.
Modi condoles deaths in Bangladesh ferry accident
New Delhi, Feb 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday condoled the loss of lives in a ferry accident in Bangladesh."My prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives in the
EWS Seats: Draw for admission to EWS seats in private schools today, Directorate issued guidelines
The first computerized draw for admission in classes II to IX will be conducted on Tuesday for 20 percent Economically Backward Classes (EWS) seats in private schools. Once the school is allotted,
Where will the Russian attack on Ukraine lead, the opinion of experts
The war between Ukraine and Russia has now reached its eighth day. Russian forces are constantly trying to capture Ukraine's capital Kyiv and all other cities.
Shiv Sena re-kindles anti-JNPP protests
Ratnagiri (Maharashtra), March 19 (IANS) The Shiv Sena on Thursday renewed its protests against the 9,900 MW Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP), coming up with French collaboration in the
Israel: 'We will not let the world forget the atrocities committed against our country, Israel's permanent representative to the UN
The conflict between the two continues after the terrorist organization Hamas's sudden attack on Israel on Saturday morning. More than a thousand people have died so far in these attacks. Meanwhile,
UN Secretary General arrives Saturday, to attend Vibrant Gujarat
New Delhi, Jan 9 (IANS) UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is paying an official visit to India from Jan 10-13 during which he will visit Gandhinagar to participate in the Vibrant Gujarat Summit
Disaster Hit States to get NDRF Assistance
New Delhi, Jan 14 (IANS) States affected by natural disasters will get assistance from the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), a government statement said Wednesday.The decision was taken by a
'If there is no temple by the user, then why should there be Waqf by user', SC lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain raised questions on Waqf properties
Supreme Court lawyer Vishnu Shankar Jain has questioned the legitimacy of the concept of properties declared as Waqf (Waqf by User). He said that efforts should be made to take back the properties
Russia-Ukraine War Updates: Russian Army Captures Mariupol; Putin declared victory, said - we liberated the city
It's been 56 days since the Ukraine war. Meanwhile, Russian forces have also captured Ukraine's largest port city, Mariupol. President Vladimir Putin declared victory over the city of Mariupol. He
The time has come to free Kerala from the existing coalition parties - PM Modi
Pathanamthitta [Kerala], Agencies. Assembly Elections 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi (Narendra Modi) has now turned to South India after campaigning in West Bengal (West Bengal) and Assam (Assam).
