Another death at Asha Kiran; CM gives directive for proper care

One more person died at a government-run observation home in New Delhi for mentally challenged people taking the total number of deaths to 26 in the last five months and prompting Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to issue strict directions to ensure proper care of the inmates.

One more person died on Monday at a government-run observation home in New Delhi for mentally challenged people taking the total number of deaths to 26 in the last five months and prompting Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit to issue strict directions to ensure proper care of the inmates.

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Following Dikshit's direction, Finance Minister AK Walia and Social Welfare Minister Mangat Ram Singhal visited the Asha Kiran home, Rohini, where angry locals who even tried to attack their vehicles confronted them.

"This is a very serious issue. I have issued directive to ensure proper care of the inmates staying there," Dikshit said.

Babu, a 30 year-old inmate of the observation home, died at the Sanjoy Gandhi hospital on Monday. On Sunday, a 10-year-child old child had died while on Saturday a woman inmate had breathed her last.

After the visit, Walia said admitted lapses on the part of concerned authorities to ensure proper well being of the inmates. He said government will soon improve the infrastructure at the home and it will be converted into a mini-hospital.

"We will soon improve the infrastructure, appoint more nurses and doctors and other staff to ensure proper care of the inmates," Walia told reporters.