Food plan to feed 6,000 at 209 shelters by Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI: Around 6,000 people living in the 209 shelter homes in Delhi would now get two wholesome meals a day free thanks to the Mukhyamantri Poshahaar Yojana launched by chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday. 

Delhi government has launched the shelter home feeding initiative in collaboration with Akshaya Patra Foundation. As part of the initiative, people at shelter homes run by Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB) would be provided a nutritious lunch and dinner. 

The number of those staying at the shelter homes doubles during winters and apart from these people, 3,000 labourers at Delhi government’s project sites would also get benefit of the initiative, the government stated. 

“The poorest of the poor reside in shelter homes operated by the government,” Kejriwal said after launching the initiative on Sunday. He said these people are forced to sleep on roads and footpaths and come to shelter homes to escape the harsh weather and get a place to sleep. 

These people, Kejriwal added, do not make up the vote-bank of any political party, and a majority of them do not even possess voter ID



cards. “This is why no matter which party came into power, they did not care about the condition of all these people,” he claimed. 

The CM said that in the past 6-7 years, Delhi government has transformed the condition of shelter homes in the city. “Earlier, the condition was so disastrous that not even the poorest wanted to come and live under the roof of the shelter homes; the toilets were terrible, there was no drinking water, no provision of bathing,” he said. 

“The time has now come for a new beginning. At the start of the pandemic-induced lockdown last year, we had started arrangements for two meals a day in the shelter homes. Now I am delighted that Akshaya Patra Foundation has come forward to take the initiative ahead,” Kejriwal added. 

Urban development minister Satyendar Jain said that Akshaya Patra will be providing free meals twice a day to the people at shelter homes. He said provisions are being made to feed everyone in the winter months too, when the number at the shelter homes doubles. “I am thankful to Akshaya Patra them for coming forward to take up the responsibility,” Jain added.