GHMC To Set Up 18 Shelters For Homeless

The State Government is planning to set up 18 shelters for homeless in the limits of Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) during the current financial year.

This was disclosed by Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister M Maheedhar Reddy while replying to a question raised by MLA D Sudheer Reddy and others during Question Hour in the State Legislative Assembly on Friday. The minister said that Supreme Court has directed all the States to provide shelters to the homeless people. Following SC directives, the GHMC conducted a survey on shelter-less people and identified 4,121 people with the help of NGOs and so far, eight shelters have been established for the homeless.

However, the minister said that as per the population of GHMC, 70 night shelters are to be established, out of which, 50 are proposed for male and 20 for female. So far, eight shelters including two for women have been established in Seunderabad, Tappachabutra, Shivarampally, Uppal, Namalagundu, Hafeezpet, Yousufguda and Golconda. Rs 20.87 lakh has been spent for establishment of night shelters towards repairs to the existing municipal buildings or community halls, procurement of articles and Rs 10,000 per month per shelter have been provided towards remuneration to the care takers, he said.

Further, the minister said that it has been proposed to establish at least 18 shelters in each of the GHMC circle during the financial year 2012-13. (INN)