In a shocking revelation during a surprise inspection, the district magistrate of Kanpur, Jitendra Pratap Singh, discovered severe lapses at a city night shelter meant for the homeless. The inspection, conducted on Sunday, exposed a complete absence of basic amenities at the Ghantaghar night shelter home, prompting immediate directives for stern action.
Appalling Conditions at the Shelter
The temporary steel structure, operated by the Nav Srajan Society Private Ltd, is designed to house up to 24 people. However, District Magistrate Jitendra Pratap Singh was appalled to find it lacking the most fundamental facilities. The shelter had no kitchen, no provision for potable water, and not even a lavatory for its occupants.
While some bedding items like mattresses, blankets, bedsheets, and sleeping mats were present, they were all reported to be in a poor and unusable condition. The most egregious finding was that the caretaker present at the time, Amar Singh, had been illegally charging Rs 20 from each person using the shelter, which is mandated to be a free service.
DM's Stern Reaction and Directives
Expressing strong displeasure, DM Singh reprimanded the caretaker on the spot. He issued clear instructions to the concerned officials, including the zonal officer, municipal health officer, and additional municipal commissioner of the Kanpur Municipal Corporation.
The key orders given were:
- Immediate legal action against the caretaker for demanding money.
- A mandatory explanation from the responsible zonal officer for the neglect.
- Regular self-inspections of all night shelters in the municipal area by the officials.
- Ensuring all necessary facilities are provided without delay.
List of Facilities to be Ensured Immediately
The District Magistrate mandated that every night shelter must provide the following essentials at once:
- Clean bedding, including mattresses and blankets.
- Safe drinking water.
- Functional toilets and proper sanitation.
- Emergency lighting arrangements.
- Bonfires or heating arrangements for protection from the cold weather.
He reiterated that night shelter facilities must be completely free of cost, and any person found demanding money from the homeless would face strict legal consequences. This surprise check has highlighted a critical gap in the oversight of essential urban services meant for the most vulnerable, especially during the winter season.
