Belagavi
Over 90 homeless individuals, including 14 women, have taken shelter in five Shelter for Urban Homeless (SUH) centres in the city. They comprise orphans, destitute, elderly, disabled and abandoned individuals. The City Corporation is collaborating with the Jay Bharat Mata social organisation to integrate them into mainstream by providing necessary health treatment and skill development.
All these shelters operate under the Deen Dayal Antyodaya Yojana and the National Urban Livelihood Mission (DAY-NULM) of the Central Government.
At present, a total of five centres are functioning under the Corporation. A total of 92 homeless individuals including 14 women have taken shelter in city’s Khasbag, Mahantesh Nagar, Malmaruti, Mahadwar Road, Ramateertha Nagar centres. One of these centres will be dedicated to women.
Raosaheb Shirahatti, Coordinating Officer said that three teams of four people each conduct surveys twice a month in areas across the city. Activities of the homeless are monitored in populated areas. After people are brought in, they undergo a medical check-up and are provided free food and accommodation as long as they are sheltered. Some inmates leave after a few days.
Coordinator Raosaheb Shirahatti said that from 2011, only two SUHs were functioning. Three more centres were started in 2021. They give priority to skill development. Under PM Swanidhi Yojana, loans are given for for self-employment. Since 2011, more than 150 inmates have started a new life. Those taking shelter are taught tailoring, candle making, dish washing and other skills. With this, they are encouraged to become self-reliant. Some who have taken shelter here are working at KMF, hotels and grocery stores. Some are employed as security guards, he said. Corporation Commissioner Ashok Dudagunti said they are trying to have their own building for 4 centres under DAY- NULM scheme.
