In a first of its kind initiative the Srinagar administration has established composite shelter homes for destitute and needy.
The shelter homes have been established at two locationsincluding one at Pantha Chowk and another at Brein Nishat where buildings havebeen identified and will be equipped with all basic facilities.
Line departments including Social Welfare, Health, SDA, SMC,ICPS, PHE, PDD, FCSCA and District Red Cross have been directed to ensureimmediate and sustained provision of basic facilities at these homes.
An inter-departmental committee headed by additional DeputyCommissioner Srinagar K K Sidha is overseeing arrangements and coordinationwith the departments.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary who hasissued orders for strict implementation of the J&K Prevention of BeggaryAct 1960 in the district said the establishment of these shelter homes is aimedat facilitating efforts of the district administration at preventing beggingwhich has seen a monumental increase, causing great deal of public nuisance.
He said the district administration will bear expenditureincurred on operation of these shelter homes.
Choudhary said a team of officials from differentdepartments has been constituted for identification of the destitute and thosebegging for alms for sustenance and shifting them to the composite shelterhomes.
To manage and monitor the affairs of these homes a nodalofficer for each one of the two has been designated including Tehsildar PanthaChowk for shelter home at Panthachowk and Social Welfare Officer Srinagar(Tehsil South) for the shelter home at Brene Nishat.
People who wish to donate for the destitute to be housed atthese shelter homes have been asked to contact at Mobile No. 7006088296.