Duty to take care of needs of shelter home inmates: CM | Delhi News – The Times of India

New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta celebrated Holi on Thursday with children at the state-run Asha Kiran Home for Persons with Intellectual Disability in Rohini and said Delhi govt, as their guardian, would ensure their proper care. She distributed sweets and chocolates among the children.
Gupta was accompanied by social welfare minister Ravinder Indraj Singh. Talking to reporters after her visit, chief minister said she instructed the officials to address any shortcomings at the shelter home and improve the facilities.
The shelter made news last year after around 14 inmates died in a month following episodes of loose motion and vomiting. Delhi High Court called the deaths “alarming” and ordered the decongestion of the facility.
Gupta said the home was accommodating more children than its intended capacity and added that the social welfare department, which operated the facility, would be directed to address the issue. CM said she asked Singh to upgrade the park on the premises with better equipment.
“I will personally oversee this centre to ensure the children receive proper care, and govt will conduct surprise inspections in the near future,” Gupta said and added she planned to visit the facility more frequently.
“Visiting Asha Kiran and interacting with these children was a profoundly moving experience. I am happy to see that they are living in a peaceful environment. Govt is their guardian, and it is our duty to take special care of their needs,” said chief minister, who also inspected the home’s kitchen and the quality of food served to the children.
Following her instructions, the departments concerned were directed to undertake cleaning, whitewashing, renovation and infrastructure improvements at the home.
Singh visited the home earlier this month and assured that the overcrowding issue would be addressed soon. While the facility has a sanctioned capacity of 570, it currently houses 818 people — 365 women and 453 men. Before last year’s incident, there were 928 inmates. At least 100 residents were since relocated to facilities at Nirmal Chhaya in Narela and Timarpur.
Officials said the renovation of a vacant nursing college and hostel in Narela to house Asha Kiran inmates was going on at full pace and fund was released.