Delhi Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam on Wednesday ordered the renovation of the Lampur beggars home in north Delhi to facilitate the board and lodging of beggars as well as mentally challenged patients.
The beggar home is lying unutilised for the last 10-12 years and almost 35 acres of land is thus available for suitable use, a Social Welfare Department statement said.
"The Lampur home is best suited for inmates as it sprawls a huge green area and thus offers a clean environment," said Gautam who visited the home as well as Aasha Deep Home for Mentally Challenged at Narela in north Delhi's outskirts.
The Department Secretary and Director assured Gautam that all possibilities would be explored and necessary action taken and the work completed in two to three months.
The Minister also ordered for extending to the inmates medical facilities, including necessary medical equipment, so that they can be treated on the home premise only.
The Social Welfare Department needs more space to house the mentally challenged as its Asha Kiran complex accommodates 1,050 such inmates as against its capacity of 500.
"Due to lack of proper space, it is necessary to shift them to bigger homes. Though the home takes care in the best possible manner, space is a major issue to enable us pay proper attention to inmates individually," the Minister said.
"The reason for overcrowding is that the homes cannot deny admission to anyone coming there, either through court orders or on their own. They have to accommodate everyone whosoever seeks help," he added.
--IANS
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