CIC asks govt to avoid repeat of 2010

In the wake of the death of several homeless people due to cold last winter, the Central Information Commission has asked the Delhi government to pull up its socks to avoid a repeat of the same this year.

In the wake of the death of several homeless people due to cold last winter, the Central Information Commission has asked the Delhi government to pull up its socks to avoid a repeat of the same this year.

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The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the government to put up signboards at the locations of night shelters, including details of facilities available at the shelter by December 15.

“The board shall also contain names and contact details of the supervisory official who can be contacted for grievance redressal,” Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi said while hearing a complaint filed by activist Saurabh Sharma.

“The information shall be inscribed both in Hindi and English,” Gandhi added. Gandhi has also directed the respective agencies to file a compliance report by December 20.

Urban Rights Forum, an NGO that works for the city’s homeless had earlier claimed that about 10 unidentified people die in the city due to cold.

In January this year, the Delhi High Court had expressed its displeasure over the shortage of night shelters.

“A majority of poor and homeless have no option but to utilise these night shelters,” Sharma, associated with NGO Josh, said.