Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal launches scheme to feed vagrants
Over 6,000 homeless people in 209 shelter homes will get two full meals a day.
The Delhi government has upped its ante in its fight against hunger. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has launched the Mukhyamantri Poshahaar Yojana that aims to provide two nutritious meals to close to 6,000 people living across 209 shelter homes in the national capital.
The AAP-led Delhi government has launched this initiative in association with Akshaya Patra Foundation. Under this initiative, a wholesome lunch and dinner would be provided to all the people living in the shelter homes run by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB).
The Initiative
“Homeless people live in the night shelters of Delhi. They are the poorest. Nobody pays attention to them. In association with Akshaya Patra Foundation, we will provide nutritious food to all these people absolutely free of cost on both days. Will not let anyone go to bed hungry in Delhi,” tweeted Kejriwal.
दिल्ली के रैन बसेरों में बेघर लोग रहते हैं। ये सबसे गरीब हैं। इनकी तरफ़ किसी का ध्यान नहीं जाता।
अक्षय पात्र फ़ाउंडेशन के साथ मिलकर हम इन सभी लोगों को रोज़ाना दोनों वक्त का पौष्टिक खाना एकदम मुफ़्त मुहैया कराएंगे। दिल्ली में किसी को भूखा नहीं सोने देंगे। pic.twitter.com/QGlypl1TPW
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 8, 2021
The DUSIB operates 209 shelter homes in the national capital that caters to almost 12,000 people. The Delhi government has been providing food to the homeless ever since the pandemic broke out in March 2020 and have expanded their initiative now.
As per the Delhi government the number of people living at the shelter homes almost doubles during the winter season. In addition to this, 3,000 labourers working at project sites run by the Delhi government will also be benefitted from this initiative.
Kejriwal said that the poorest of the poor live in these government-run shelter homes. He added that they are forced to sleep on the roads or footpaths and these shelters help them in escaping the harshness of the weather while also giving them a place to sleep.
Kejriwal added that these people do not constitute a vote bank for any party and many of them do not even possess a Voter ID card. This was the reason why no previous government in Delhi cared for their condition.
Delhi’s urban development minister Satyendar Jain said two free meals a day will be provided to the people in the shelter homes by Akshaya Patra Foundation.
“Homeless people live in the night shelters of Delhi. They are the poorest. Nobody pays attention to them. In association with Akshaya Patra Foundation, we will provide nutritious food to all these people absolutely free of cost on both days. Will not let anyone go to bed hungry in Delhi,” tweeted Jain.