Amidst a severe cold wave sweeping through North India, the Urban Local Bodies (ULB) Minister made a surprise late-evening visit to several night shelters (Rain Baseras) in Rohtak today to personally review the living conditions of the homeless.
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On-the-Spot Inspection: The Minister visited the main night shelters near the Rohtak Railway Station and the Old Bus Stand. During the visit, he interacted with the occupants to check if they were receiving adequate facilities. “No one in our state should have to sleep in the open during this biting cold. It is our moral and administrative duty to provide a warm bed for everyone,” the Minister stated.
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Directives for Comfort:
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Heating Facilities: Finding some shelters with inadequate heating, the Minister directed the Municipal Corporation officials to install electric blowers and oil-filled radiators immediately.
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Bedding & Hygiene: He ordered the distribution of high-quality wool blankets and emphasized the need for clean bedsheets and sanitized washrooms within the facilities.
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Nutritional Support: The Minister also reviewed the availability of hot tea and meals, instructing local NGOs and officials to ensure that no person goes to sleep hungry.
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Special Rescue Teams: A new directive was issued to the Rohtak Police and Municipal teams to form “Rescue Patrols.” These teams will patrol the city between 11:00 PM and 2:00 AM to identify people sleeping on footpaths and transport them to the nearest available night shelter.
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Digital Monitoring: The ULB department has been tasked with creating a real-time “Occupancy Dashboard” for all night shelters in the state to ensure that if one facility is full, the homeless can be redirected to another nearby shelter with vacant beds.
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Community Appeal: The Minister appealed to the citizens and social organizations of Rohtak to donate old clothes and sweaters at designated “Wall of Kindness” points across the city to support the ongoing winter relief efforts.
