Delhi High Court.
Delhi High Court.
The Standing Council of the Delhi Government clarified before the High Court bench that the Delhi Government wants to provide free food in night shelters. To this the court agreed that it is the responsibility of the state to ensure that every person gets food. The Delhi High Court has supported the food being provided in night shelters under the free food project by the Delhi government. The High Court has directed to continue the free food project in entire Delhi. The Delhi High Court, taking suo motu cognizance of the suspension of free food in night shelters, had expressed serious concern about the welfare of the homeless.
Support of NGOs and Civil Society Groups
Taking the initiative, CM Arvind Kejriwal decided to distribute free food to homeless people living in Delhi government night shelters to provide immediate relief. All homeless people living in various shelters of the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board under the Delhi government were provided free food by Akshay Patra Foundation, an NGO. The scheme launched by the Delhi government has received a lot of appreciation from the public and has also received support from various NGOs and civil society groups. It is noteworthy that due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the lockdown was imposed several times in the capital. In such a situation, the daily wage laborers living in the capital had become unemployed and were forced to starve.
Akshaya Patra is known for her charity activities.
The Kejriwal government told that since Akshay Patra is a very reputed organization it has got contracts in many other states. Therefore, the contract for supply of free food was given to Akshaya Patra on nomination basis. Akshaya Patra is known for its charity activities. The payment of Akshay Patra was withheld by some officials of Delhi’s Finance Department for several months and the payment was not being released to Akshay Patra. Let us tell you that the Finance Department had earlier stopped the salaries of the doctors of Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics and also the pension of the elderly. The Finance Department officials were found guilty by the Petitions Committee of the Delhi Legislative Assembly and the Chief Secretary was asked to inquire into the matter and submit a report.
