By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, September 23, 2015

Odisha government has decided to construct shelters for people who live and sleep in pavements, parks, railway stations, bus stations, places of worship, outside shops and factories, at constructions sites, under bridges, in hume pipes and other places under the open sky or places unfit for human habitation.

One shelter home with capacity of accommodating at least 100 persons will be constructed for every one lakh population, according to the official sources.

This significant decision follows a video conference with Collectors of several districts by chief secretary Gokul Chandra Pati on Wednesday here.

Pati advised the Collectors and Urban Local Bodies [ULBS] to construct the shelters near bus stands, hospitals and railway stations and other such places where more number of homeless persons are seen.

The Collectors have been directed to prepare the detail plan and estimates by 15th October and send those for Govt approval.

The ULBs have been assured of financial assistance at the rate of Rs 40 lakh for one shelter home with capacity to accommodate 50 persons. Cities having the population above 10 lakh and cities of special social, historical or tourist importance will have the priority under the project.

Official sources say, arrangements have been made for providing Rs.6 lakh per annum towards operation and maintenance cost to each shelter home with capacity of 50 persons.

Chief Secretary has directed to make separate arrangements for vulnerable groups like children, disabled, women and aged persons in these shelter homes.

It has also been decided to have common kitchen facility, locker facility, fire fighting, first aid arrangements etc in the shelter homes.

Adequate bathing and toilet arrangements will be put in place. Chief Secretary has advised the Collectors to link the inmates of these shelter homes to the social security schemes like old age, disable pension, food security schemes, anganwadi centres, schools, health insurance schemes, skill development training programmes etc. as per their eligibility.

Presently, cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Puri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Baripada have more than one lakh population.

As per 2011 census, there is requirement for construction of shelter homes in 9 cities to accommodate around 3270 persons.

Till now nine such shelter homes accommodating some 278 people has been built. In the last fiscal, 18 more shelter homes have been sanctioned for 10 ULBs during 2014-15.

Pati directed the Collectors to ensure completed shelter homes operational by October next.