Shelter homes

Srinagar city has been without any shelter sheds for destitute people and it was a dire need for the authorities to set-up such sheds so that the beggars in hundreds do not roam on the streets. District authorities of Srinagar have decided to ban the begging on the streets of Srinagar and they have told police to arrest them so that such incidents do not take place during this summer months.

In a first of its kind initiative in the district the Srinagar administration has established composite shelter homes for the destitute and those having to beg for alms for sustenance.  The shelter homes have been established at two locations including one at Pantha Chowk and another at Brein Nishat where buildings have been 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 ensure immediate and sustained provision of basic facilities at these homes. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar who has issued orders for strict implementation of the J&K Prevention of Beggary Act 1960 in the district said the establishment of these shelter homes is aimed at facilitating efforts of the district administration at preventing begging which has seen a monumental increase causing great deal of public nuisance.

H e said the district administration will bear the expenditure incurred on operation of these shelter homes. Officials from different departments have been constituted for identification of the destitute and those begging for alms for sustenance and shifting them to the said composite shelter homes. These homes a nodal officer for each one of the two has been designated including Tehsildar Pantha Chowk for the one at Pantha Chowk and Social Welfare Officer Srinagar (Tehsil South) for that at Brene Nishat.