NGOs to run observation homes in Dwarka,Bindapur

The Delhi government on Monday decided to hand over maintenance of its two new observation homes for the mentally challenged.

The Delhi government on Monday decided to hand over maintenance of its two new observation homes for the mentally challenged to NGOs and proposed stringent quality standards. The two observation homes at Dwarka and Bindapur are expected to decongest the government-run Asha Kiran home where several residents died of ill-health and poor care in the last one year.

A draft agreement for handing over management,operation and maintenance of the homes was approved by the Cabinet on Monday. Chief Secretary Rakesh Mehta will head a committee that has been set-up to monitor maintenance of the homes by the NGOs.

Officials say the Asha Kiran observation home in Rohini is packed with 738 residents,more than twice its capacity of 350 inmates,and a government panel had earlier blamed congestion for the deaths of some of the inmates.

Specific penalty for deficiency in service has been proposed in the agreement,officials said,adding that the NGOs will have to provide best medical facilities to the inmates. The NGOs will have to provide nutritious food,clothing,medical care,recreation,vocational training and proper security to mentally retarded persons, a government officer said.

Officials said FCS Foundation of Noida was selected through bidding to manage the Dwarka home that has a capacity for 100 residents and GRS Security Services of Gurgaon for the Bindapur home,which can accommodate 120 residents.

A sum of Rs 6,016 will be spent per inmate per month in Dwarka home whereas Rs 5,509 per inmate has been proposed to be spent in Bindapur home, an official said. The agreement with the NGOs will remain valid for 10 years and could be renewed on mutual consent.

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