Delhi Shelter Home Deaths: Asha Kiran Battles Acute Staff Crunch, More Inmates Than Its Capacity

Amidst the death of 14 inmates at Delhi’s government-run facility within 20 days in July, Asha Kiran continues to be understaffed.

In contrast, it has more inmates than it can handle. Despite the understaffing, the number of posts generated in 2013 remains vacant.

As per the official, under LG’s order posts for 10 doctors, 249 nurses, and 62 ANMs were created in 2013. But shockingly, there are only six doctors, 17 nursing staff, and 50 ANMs to look after around 1,000 inmates. According to officials, around 400 inmates can be accommodated.

People Leaving Due To Salary Delay

According to nursing attendant, several medical and caregiver staffers leave the home due to delay in their salaries being granted. Thus, the posts don’t get filled in.

Also Read: 14 Deaths In Govt Run ‘Shelter Homes’ In July, NCW Uncovers Lapses

The social welfare director Anjali Sehrawat admitting critical staff crunch revealed that recruitments, usually done by GNCTD, did not take place despite repeated requests. Even after making the requests to fill the posts, it is yet to happen.

AAP & Delhi’s LG Argue With Each Other

Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi party and Delhi LG once again come under loggerheads with each other. AAP’s senior leader Saurabh Bharadwaj alleged, that Saxena did not terminate the key officials of Asha Kiran home despite corruption allegations associated with them.

Bhardwaj also added that ‘services’ came under Delhi’s LG domain. While issuing accusations, Bhardwaj said ‘Almost all the people living in this shelter are intellectually challenged… and often suffer from diseases… they are not able to take full care of their food and drink… in such a situation, it is very important that whoever is appointed here to take care of them, should have a spirit of service.’

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Later he asked ‘What were the thoughts of the L-G in giving the responsibility of this centre to the current administrator…He is the same Rahul Agarwal who was arrested in 2016 in a bribery case…I want to ask L-G sahab – On what basis did you give the responsibility of its administration to this corrupt officer?’

Refuting Saurabh Bhardwaj’s claims in response, LG house claimed that appointment of Asha Kiran home was done internally by social welfare, which totally comes under CM and minister’s control.

Afterward, when Bhardwaj accused LG for lying, LG house official declared that social Welfare Department doesn’t have a minister since Raaj Kumar Anand.

Questioning Saurabh Bhardwaj, they said that when CM Arvind Kejriwal was out on bail, they found time to accept resignation and give it to LG. But, they did not appoint new minister in that department, where political oversight is most important?