Shivering on the streets

As the cold wave gets more merciless, it is important to remember that there are about three million homeless people in India8217;s urban a...

As the cold wave gets more merciless, it is important to remember that there are about three million homeless people in India8217;s urban areas. Although the 1991 census estimates their number at about 7 lakh, most homeless get left out of census estimates. Independent surveys in cities suggest that their number is likely to be over four times the census estimate.

The government has so far been able to provide accommodation for less than five per cent of the homeless in night shelters. Some of these shelters are in such a bad condition that people prefer to shiver in the open. In many cities there isn8217;t a single shelter for homeless women, although it is women who face the most insecure conditions as well as acute sanitation problems.

During the last winter, over 1000 cold wave deaths were reported in north India, particularly Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi. In Delhi about 2000 to 3000 unclaimed dead bodies are recovered in a year. Many of these belong to the homeless. Despite the undisputed fact that the cold wave claims the lives of hundreds of people every winter, the government has failed to speed up its programme of constructing night shelters. In fact, there are allegations of not utilising the sanctioned funds.

The government should lose no more time in preparing a time-bound programme for providing shelter to about 25 lakh homeless people in urban areas. At least some of these shelters should remain open during the day. This will also meet the needs of homeless night shift workers. Some shelters should be reserved for homeless women. Shelters for children should keep additional provisions for education combined with the tools of fun and play.

As a temporary measure, till adequate night shelters can be constructed, the possibility of utilising some existing buildings as night shelters should be considered. The authorities in a city can make a list of those buildings which can be opened up to shelter homeless people at night.

Philanthropic organisations and ordinary citizens should also be encouraged to provide any covered space they can spare as a possible place for accommodating homeless people, at least during winter and in the rainy season. The central government8217;s policy for night shelters in the tenth plan provides a big role for voluntary organisations in managing and constructing night shelters. Philanthropic organisations and citizens8217; groups can come forward to use this opportunity for providing some badly needed relief.

Socially committed youth among the homeless should be encouraged to assume management responsibilities in night shelters as well as organise the homeless to assert their right to shelter. Sporadic efforts made in various parts of the country to help homeless people should be widely shared, including among homeless people, to learn about the more replicable sustainable and cost effective successes.