Siddhanta Mishra By

New Delhi: The seasons show no mercy to the poor in the city. According to the latest report of the Center for Holistic Development (CHD), around 3,347 homeless people were found dead on Delhi’s streets in 2016. The report said there were around 161 deaths only in December. The Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB), which functions under the Urban Development Ministry of the Delhi government, is responsible for maintaining shelters for the homeless.

“The report compiled by us is solely based on the number of unidentified dead bodies recovered by the police throughout the year. As per government policy, unidentified people living on the streets are considered homeless,” said Sunil Aledia, Executive Director of CHD. Meanwhile, the Kejriwal government denies death of any homeless person in the city this winter.

“There have been three unidentified deaths this month, but none of them were because of the cold. But if any such death has been reported, then it’s a cause of concern. The government is working constantly to create more shelters,” said DUSIB member Bipin Rai.

With an annual budget of `35 crore, it’s the board’s responsibility to maintain the 262 existing shelters comprising 115 porta cabins, 81 buildings, 64 tents and two subways. “Four more buildings are being constructed,” Rai said.

Kejriwal has started free meals thrice a day for the homeless at 10 specific shelters. The government has spent lavishly on publicity seeking donations from the general public for the shelters. According to a DUSIB census, the streets of the capital are home to 16,000 homeless people.

Kailash Gambhir, a retired judge of Delhi High Court who heads the Gambhir committee, a shelter monitoring body constituted by the apex court, said: “I have chaired a meeting with DUSIB where I raised the issues of homeless people in the city. The Joint Apex Advisory Committee, which should be held every fortnight, was convened after two years.”