Taking stock of the chilly weather prevailing in the Capital, the Delhi Government on Wednesday announced its decision to install new night shelters, and convert the old ones into the porta cabin night shelters.
Addressing a press conference, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced, "The weather is very chilly here and it is a duty of any government to take care of people who are unprivileged. So we had a discussion on this issue and we have taken several decisions on it."
"Firstly, the Delhi Government operates several night shelters, many of which are made of tents. It has been decided that the government will try and convert these tent night shelters into porta cabin night shelters in the next 3-4 days," he said.
"Secondly, there are several people who are sleeping under the flyovers and they did not wish to move from there. So it has been decided that we will identify the spots where people are sleeping in the open and will install a porta cabin night shelter there," he added.
"We have issued orders to SDM's that they will ensure that the night shelters in their areas are working fine, and prepare a list of spots where people are sleeping in the open. They have to give this list by January 4," he said.
On December 30, Delhi Urban Development Minister, Manish Sisodia had taken a surprise inspection of the night shelters in the city to check the plight of the shivering poor.
"It is my responsibility as a minister, to take care of all these things and also to check how far the claims made by the government and higher officials are true or how the reality is different from what is conveyed to us," Sisodia had said.
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Sisodia had also met officials from several government departments, including health, education and PWD (Public Works Department).
During the inspections officials have been summoned to explain the situation and offer solution to problems.