Amritsar: Homeless have needs other than night shelter

Charanjit Singh Teja

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Amritsar, January 25

Irrespective of the severe cold wave conditions, the homeless continue to stay by the roadside. There are ample arrangements — provision for proper bedding and warm clothes at the shelter home and raen baseras run by the district administration at Gol Bagh. Though there are several homeless at every intersection in the city, only 8 to10 get shelter in the raen baseras. Most of them are individuals who don’t have a family or group.

On the directions of the Deputy Commissioner, the staff posted at night shelters and raen baseras make all the arrangements for the homeless to stay there. There are more than 50 beds and a number of mattresses to accommodate the visitors. Before the start of winter season, the Municipal Commissioner had visited the night shelters and inspected the existing arrangements. The building has been whitewashed and new beddings provided. Though the Aadhaar card is mandatory for accommodation at such night shelters in winter, the administration is lenient about the condition of having an Aadhaar card at the time of admission.

According to the staff at night shelters, the homeless do not prefer raen baseras to stay the night due to needs other than shelter. There is no provision for food and tea at night shelters. The ones who stay near any chowk get ample food, money and warm clothes by donors. There are several religious organisations that regularly provide food to the beggars and homeless.

Kamal Kumar, in-charge, shelter home, said, “The beggars have a different attitude and they prefer to stay by the roadside. We often get them inside the shelter to protect them from harsh weather conditions. But they don’t stay for long. Apart from the food and tea, they expect money and liquor from the staff. They are able to get Rs 400-Rs 500 in alms each day and a good meal. We don’t allow anyone to consume liquor inside the night shelter.”