Coming: A help centre for city’s migrants

According to sources, the project is being undertaken in concurrence with the Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs that has already granted Rs 1 crore to the Delhi government to set up the centre.

“Delhi does not have its own population of notified tribes. But there is a huge presence of migrants in all parts of the city consisting of unskilled labourers and artisans. Most of this population is below poverty line and out of their habitat. They are bewildered in a big city.

However, they are unable to send their children to school or avail any other government schemes. The centre will be to help such people,” an official said.

The Centre will rope in volunteers who will be paid an honorarium. They will include volunteers who speak local dialects spoken by various migrant groups and Hindi, so that they can bridge the communication gap faced by the migrants. This, officials said, would help them avail various facilities like education or creches for their children, healthcare or night shelters.

Along with removing linguistic barriers, the centre will also look at creating awareness about cultural differences, especially of those coming to Delhi from the North East states.

The centre will be set up as an autonomous body and will also have a toll-free helpline number. The registration of the body, sources said, will be done by March 31. The centre will be located centrally so that it can be accessed by migrants in all parts of the city.