INDORE: Amid nationwide outrage over dumping of elderly disabled people outside city limits, Indore collector Manish Singh on Sunday went to Khajrana Ganesh temple to seek forgiveness for the heartless act of the local administration. “It was a mistake. We being government officials cannot escape our responsibilities. I have apologised to God,” he said.. I have apologised to God (for the adminstration dumping the elderly off the city limits) and sought his blessings for the whole city,” Indore collector Manish Singh told reporters.
The Swachh city authorities have been facing a barrage of criticism ever since a video went viral on Friday, showing Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) staff dumping elderly homeless people by the roadside in Kshipra area, just outside city limits. The incident led to the suspension of a deputy commissioner and sacking of two shelter employees.
On Sunday, divisional commissioner Pawan Sharma held discussions with officials of the health department, Indore Municipal Corporation, social justice department and representatives of old-age homes and non-governmental organisations and said they had chalked out a detailed plan to rehabilitate beggars and the homeless.
“We are going to launch a fresh survey to identify destitutes, orphans, beggars and the places where these people live. We have also launched a medical check-up drive for such people, and those in need will be provided medical assistance,” Sharma said, adding that arrangements are being made in shelter homes. Commissioner of Indore Municipal Corporation Pratibha Pal said that these people would be classified in three categories — destitute, mentally unstable or disabled and child beggars — and efforts would be made for their rehabilitation. Before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the civic body had conducted a pan-Indore survey and identified around 5,000 beggars and homeless people. A dedicated shelter home is also being planned with financial assistance from the central government and the state government.