Private firms to maintain shelter homes

RANCHI: This year's winter is likely to be warmer for people who seek shelter at rain baseras (night shelters) across the city. The Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) handed over the operation and management work of 11 night shelters running across the city to private agencies.
City mission manager of National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM) Vikas Kumar said, "The rain baseras have been renamed to ashraygriha and they will now be open 24X7 unlike the night shelters which were open only at night."
He added, "Keeping in mind about the winter season, we have increased the facilities at these shelter homes so that travellers and under privileged people who cannot afford to stay at any paid accommodation can spend the cold nights here."
Out of the 11 ashraygrihas, two centres including the one near Pahari Mandir and near AG More have been converted into women shelter homes.All the ashraygrihas have been provided with proper beds with beddings, blankets, water filters and storage trunks.
The capacity of each shelter homes at present are12 beds. However, one more floor is being constructed on 10 shelter homes which will increase the capacity to 24 beds.
Kumar said, "Most of the shelter homes were in a poor condition with broken cots, torn beddings and lack of proper hygiene and drinking water facility. But now, we have refurnished them all and made them look as good as new. It is now up to the private agencies to maintain and operate them."
Apart from the proper facilities, one attendant will be present at every ashraygriha throughout the day and night. A total of seven private agencies and NGOs have been selected by RMC to maintain the shelter homes.
The selected agencies include Sahyogini which will manage the shelter homes at Pahari Mandir and Madhukam, Sanmat which has taken the tender for ITI and Karbala Chowk centres, South Bihar Welfare Trust will be managing the centres at Karamtoli and Sewa Sadan. SBENG will be handling RIMS and Bakari Bazaar centres, Active Social Development foundation will maintain the centre near Dhurwa Bus Stand, Citizen Foundation has been handed over the responsibility for the centre at Doranda and Sunrise Foundation has taken the responsibility of the centre near Jaggarnathpur Temple.
Vikas Kumar said, "Every agency would be given Rs. 40,000 per month for the maintenance of each shelter home."