The Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court noted that the response it has received from different companies in Vidarbha region about availability of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for Covid-19 relief work “is not encouraging”.

Justices Sunil B. Shukre and Avinash G. Gharote said that they made attempts with a view to strengthen the health care system in Vidarbha region, especially in view of the pandemic. It expected not only from the State Government, but also from public and private sector companies to make their contributions to the noble cause.

The Bench observed, “While response from some of the public sector companies like WCl/ CIL and MOIL has been so far extremely good, the same is not with the private sector companies. We have also not received any response from such public sector companies like NTPC, MAHAGENCO (Power Generation), MAHAGENCO (Power Transmission) and MSEDCL. There are also big companies like Tirora Thermal Power Station, Gondia and various cement manufacturing plants at Chandrapur.”

Further, the court noted that when the companies are under a statutory obligation to maintain CSR funds under section 135 of the Companies Act, they are expected to utilise the same when they are called upon to do so.

“…in our opinion, there could have been no better opportunity than the present time and present cause to discharge such duty. If these companies have not so far responded to the call given by this Court, this Court would have to issue necessary directions for making these companies wake up and answer the call of their duty”, said the court.

In light of this, the Bench issued some directions and ordered the Divisional Commissioners of Nagpur and Amravati to obtain entire information related to the availability of CSR funds with all the companies operating in their respective divisions.

“The Divisional Commissioner shall call for this information through the concerned Joint Director, District Industries Centre and verify through the Joint Director the correctness of the information so provided by these companies to him. We further direct the Divisional Commissioner, Nagpur and the Divisional Commissioner, Amravati to make a request for release of CSR funds which may be found to be available upon such verification with such companies”, said the court.

Directions to reduce the drug price used for Mucormycosis

The Bench also took cognisance of the occurrence of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus in Maharashtra, a disease affecting several patients after recovering from Covid-19. The court was informed that in the last 15 days, 43 eyes have been removed and 26 deaths have occurred, all due to Mucormycosis. In the last 2 days, 109 new cases of Mucormycosis have been reported.

It was brought to the notice of the Court that the drugs which are being used for treating Mucormycosis are quite expensive. In addition to this, the quantity and dosage of these drugs are also very high.

To this, the court said, “If this is so, the treatment of this disease may be out of reach of several patients. Besides this, incidence of Mucormycosis has also risen alarmingly. In such a situation, it is necessary that some steps are taken by the Government to bring down the prices of these drugs to an affordable level. We would, therefore, request the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority to look into this aspect and issue directives, if possible, for reducing the prices of these drugs to affordable levels.”

The Bench directed the Central Government to regulate the production and distribution of these drugs across India to prevent shortage in the future. Currently, there are about 26 companies located at different places in India which are involved in manufacturing of these drugs.

Specifically for Vidarbha region, the court instructed the Division Commissioner, Nagpur and Amravati, to immediately start awareness campaigns to acquaint the public with the cause, effect and preventive measures to be taken to tackle Mucormycosis. “The IMA has already placed on record guidelines to be followed to safeguard patients from post Covid-19 black fungus disease. These guidelines, we direct, be given wide publicity in at least three languages Marathi, Hindi and English”, read the order.

The order may be read here:

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Black Fungus kills 90 in Maharashtra; shortage of drug to treat it
All you need to know about Mucormycosis
Despite increase in oxygen supply, the problem appears to continue: Bombay HC
Provide 10,000 vials of Remdesivir to Nagpur: Bombay HC to Maha Gov’t

The post Companies expected to use CSR funds for Covid-19 relief work: Bombay HC appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Cyclone Amphan has wreaked havoc in the ecologically fragile delta region of the Sundarbans in eastern India. It has adversely impacted the lives and livelihoods of farmers, forest workers and fishing communities in the region that has also been declared a World heritage Site on account of its rich bio-diversity. Now, the Paschim Radhanagar Sundarban Jana Sramajibi Manch, has joined hands with like minded organisations to provide relief to the cyclone affected inhabitants of the region.

Sundarbans: Its ecology and people    

The Indian Sundarbans region commonly known as the Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (BSR) consists of 4,200 sq. km. of reserved forests along with 5,400 sq. km. of non-forest area. The 58 inhabited and 48 forested islands are spread across of the North and South 24 Parganas in West Bengal. The largest estuarine mangrove forest is also the core area of the Sundarbans Tiger reserve, with home to more than 200 tigers. 

Cyclones have always posed a threat to the Sundarbans. Rising sea level and tidal waves have eroded landmass leading to the depletion of mangroves and the inundation of saline water is eating away at the inhabited land. But now climate change is making the already fragile ecosystem of the SBR even more vulnerable.

The fragile ecosystem is home to at least 4.5 million people. The population of the Sundarbans is economically underprivileged and has very poor access to infrastructure. In absence of any major industry there, they are mostly dependent on agriculture, fishing, tiger prawn seed collection, timber collection and honey collection. There are abysmal to no healthcare facilities in the region and locals have to travel miles to avail basic treatment at primary healthcare centers. According to research studies, at least 50,000 people enter the Sundarbans forest areas daily to extract sources for their livelihood.

Destruction by Cyclone Amphan

Now, while the nation was grappling with the Covid-19 crisis, another disaster, Cyclone Amphan caused extensive damage to the eastern coast of India. The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest, has been ravaged by the cyclone that had a wind speed of 220 kmph. It is estimated that about 3,900 sq. km in the Sundarbans suffered damage, with over 10 lakh homes and shops being devastated, trees being uprooted, and roads being cracked open. The storm also damaged creeks and embankments, bringing saline water into villages and destroying 109,577 hectares of cultivable land and impacting 443,144 farmers.

Media reports say that saline inundation in agricultural fields has destroyed standing crops and set back any prospects of cultivation to at least two years. The incoming monsoon also brings with it new challenges for rehabilitation. Freshwater and potable water availability has been affected and it is now upto the residents to begin picking up from what’s left due to the damage.

Organizations call for contributions towards relief measures

In light of this immeasurable destruction, the Paschim Radhanagar Sundarban Jana Sramajibi Manch, a community organization working with fisherfolk and the forest dependent people across the Sundarbans, have appealed to the citizens of the country to support the people of the Sundarbans rebuild their lives.

Working with organizations like the Sundarban Parjatan Pariseba Samabay Samity Ltd (Sundarbans Tourism Service Cooperative Society Ltd) to provide necessary relief to the people of Kumirmari, Chotta-Mullakhali and Shamsher Nagar Islands, the Paschim Radhanagar Sundarban Jana Sramajibi Manch has urged people to contribute towards a food and basic essential kit costing Rs. 1,500 consisting of 8 kgs rice, 3 kgs Dal, 2 kgs Potato, 2 kgs onion, 1 kg Jaggery, masalas, 5 soap bars, 5 packets of detergent soap, 2 packets of sanitary napkins and 10 pieces of reusable masks.

It has also asked people to donate towards tarpaulins, clothes, blankets, shoes, household essential items. The Manch has also designed a livelihood-based skill-building programme to help people make a career in fisheries, tailoring, honey and food processing, digital literacy, carpentry, plumbing and masonry, etc. keeping in mind the short-term and long-term needs of the population of the affected region.

It is imperative that with the Covid-19 crisis still looming large on the marginalized population, we and our allied organizations appeal for everyone to contribute generously to help the people of the Sundarbans recover from the impact of the cyclone and propel them towards rehabilitation of their lives and livelihoods.

All contributions made to the Paschim Radhanagar Sundarban Jana Sramajibi Manch carry income tax exemption under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

For any queries, email – sundarbanjanashramjibimanch@gmail.com or contact:

Tapas Mondal – 9433209912

Aditi Chanchani – 9008355933

Please read the appeal here:

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A petition was filed in Bombay High Court on the plight of migrant workers as well of marginalised communities and the homeless in Mumbai by NGOs called Ghar Bachao Ghar Banao Andolan, pani Haq Samiti and Homeless Collective. Justice AA Sayed of Bombay High Court gave an order on April 8, observing that in such a situation of crisis, the state government has an uphill task of ensuring relief measures reach to all those who need them. The court asked the state government to ensure “that no victims go hungry and the food/food-grains reach all victims (even in remote areas), and drinking water, medicines, healthcare and hygienic toilette facilities are provided to them.”

The government pleader stated that “the State Government has set up 4871 relief/shelter camps and about 7.5 lac migrant labourers have been accommodated and are being provided 3 meals a day. He submitted that a common help-line has been provided in each district. He further submitted that 5 kgs food grain per person has been provided free of cost under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana.”

The petitioners were, however, not satisfied with this statement and responded by stating that “the benefits are not reaching the migrant labourers and homeless persons… there is no proper response to the help-lines and there are several areas where there is no water, food, medicines and healthcare, and toilet facilities made available.” The government pleader disputed this claim.

Yet, the High Court considered that in such difficult times all government machineries should help the government in completing this herculean task of providing relief to the homeless, marginalised as well as the migrant workers. Hence, the court, in a bid to let the government have a better stock of the situation encouraged the petitioners to make representation to the Collectors of respective districts about the areas where these issues are being faced so that relief materials can reach people who are in dire need of the same.

Not only that, the court, to ensure that action is being taken, asked that the copies of these representations be sent to the District Legal Services Authority by email and that the Authority “shall ascertain the grievances made in the representation by deputing appropriate person/s (who shall take all necessary precautions including wearing of masks, etc) and shall bring them to the notice of the concerned Authorities and file a report” by the next hearing date, April 15.

The court also requested the Advocate General to make an appearance in the matter to represent the state of Maharashtra. To avoid duplicity of PILs, directions were issued to the registry to list all similar matters before the same bench so they be adjudged together.

The Bombay High Court order can be read here

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The post Bombay HC puts District legal Authorities to work to ensure the marginalised get relief appeared first on SabrangIndia.

To tide over the Coronavirus crisis, some non-profits are doing their best to ensure that basic supplies like rice and pulses reach even the interior areas, where even during normal times, people remain cut off due to harsh terrain and long distances.

In the backward Gumla district of Jharkhand, non-profit Pradan is conducting sensitisation drives and awareness campaigns to help the poor. According to Pradan team coordinator in Gumla, Debanjan Ghatak, awareness drive is on in the entire district. “We have identified two major issues. One is keeping track on people living in the villages and another is identifying labourers, who are coming from outside as a result of reverse migration. We have also created isolation centres in the panchayats to contain the spread of Covid-19,” Ghatak said over phone.

In these difficult times, daily wage labourers and their families have been hit the most. For field workers belonging to different non-profits, restrictions placed on their movements and budget constraints to buy food and other essential items are also becoming an issue. However, a few donors have come forward like the Bank of America, Ghatak added.

“We are also accepting individual donations. A sahayog samiti Gumla has been created and till now Rs 1,65,000 has been collected. It is a good sign that people are positively responding. We are taking the help of volunteers in the respective villages to distribute ration kits to the poor. We are asking only two volunteers at a time, as movement is restricted. In this way, we have covered 216 people in the first phase. The kits are especially targeted at single women, widows and daily wage labourers. The kits will cover 750 households,” Ghatak added. The kits comprise 15 kg rice, 1 kg dal, mustard oil, salt, turmeric powder and soap.

According to another project executive of Pradan, Md Meraj Uddin, in Basia block of Gumla, banners related to dos and dont’s of Coronavirus were put up in anganwadi kendras and market places so that the maximum number of people could read them.

A group has also been formed comprising local journalists, mukhiyas (village heads), block administration officials and Pradan workers. “It is important to observe symptoms in the labourers who are coming back as a result of reverse migration. We are also tracking those, who do not own ration cards and ensuring that they also get 10kg of foodgrains at the rate of Rs1. Monitoring is also on to track whether all families holding ration cards have been covered. Under the Mukhyamantri Dal Bhat Yojana in Jharkhand, free of cost food is being given to nomads and migrant workers,” Meraj Uddin added.

Similar efforts are on in about 40 villages in Rewa district of Madhya Pradesh where the Vikas Samvad Samiti (VSS) is working relentlessly. According to Rakesh Malviya of VSS, the non-profit is focusing on need-based things.

“As wheat harvest is on, community awareness is vital now to save people from Covid-19. People have been advised in the villages to keep a close watch and maintain sanitation. Community kitchens are also open to feed the poor,” Malviya said.

In Madhya Pradesh, each panchayat has been given Rs 30,000 for maintaining sanitation and cleanliness. Rewa district collector and district magistrate Basant Kurre said over phone that food shortage will not arise in the villages. According to him, mid-day meal groups have been told to cook food in this crisis situation for the poor.

VSS activist Pushpendra Singh said that in Rewa sensitisation against Covid-19 was going on in the villages even before the lockdown. Now, youth groups are active in all the villages and they are monitoring the situation, Singh added. “People have been told to wear masks if possible, maintain distance and practise hygiene. Even though panchayats have been given Rs30,000 to fight Covid-19, it is vital to make people aware.”

Social worker Ramnaresh Yadav of Rewa said some of the activists visited interior villages on motorcycles for monitoring the situation. Yadav explained that in the forest villages, people are having food crisis. Though they have got ration till May, the problem is that they cannot go to the nearest chakkis (mills) to make atta (flour). Markets are also 15-20 km away and it has become impossible for them to buy food.

“We have raised these problems in front of the authorities concerned. Corona is a pandemic, but we feel that people may die of hunger due to the lockdown. Elderly people, widows and single women are facing problems. We have told the panchayat sachiv (secretary) to ensure that people get food. We have asked our youth groups to ensure food supply. We had no idea that it will spread so fast and people will face issues. We are trying to gather donation. Fear is that the lockdown may get stretched,” he added.

In Pohari block of Shivpuri district in Madhya Pradesh dominated by the extremely poor Sahariya tribals, Cry is supporting VSS to purchase and distribute masks and sanitisers in the villages. According to Arti Parasahar of VSS, masks will be distributed through anganwadi workers. We are waiting for the products and soaps to arrive, she said.

Ajay Singh Yadav, a field activist with VSS in Shivpuri, said as we cannot go to the villages, we are calling up our volunteers in different villages to apprise ourselves of the situation. “Migrant workers are the biggest problem. They are calling us frantically. Some are stuck in Jaipur, others in Patna and Agra.” 

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Racism has raised its ugly head even amidst these trying times. Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, people from North Eastern states have been at the receiving end of racial slurs and social ostracism. Our fellow Indians are being accused of not only being Chinese, but also spreading the virus!

This has impacted their social mobility, including simple things as stepping out to get groceries. Cases have been reported from Delhi, Mysore and even Mumbai.

However, the worst affected are those people from the North East who work low-wage jobs such as cooks, waiters, food delivery boys, spa and salon workers. They live with siblings, cousins and friends in shared accommodations in low-income neighbourhoods. Even in the best of times they are forced to live hand-to-mouth so that they can send some money back home to their elderly parents and other dependents.

The Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai, brought to CJP’s notice the plight of 50 such families living in low income neighbourhoods in Kalina and Khar Danda. Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai is an organisation that works to provide relief and assistance in times of distress to members of the Tangkhul community, tribal people who hail from different parts of Nagaland and Manipur. 

Now, we have partnered together to provide ration and essential goods to these 50 families, hailing not just from the Tangkhul community but also other tribes and states from the North East. The package includes rice, pulses, sugar, salt, tea, cooking oil, potatoes, onions, bathing and washing soap and washing powder.

CJP had earlier planned its distribution strategy for month-long rations per identified family. However, due to the lockdown, supplies are running out, not just in local corner-stores, but also at many large wholesale markets. In fact, the CJP team had to go to Navi Mumbai to get supplies and managed to make a few emergency purchases and deliver them despite a flash strike called by transporters!

The paucity of all contents of the designed package compelled us to truncate distribution for ten days ration per family. The first installment was delivered yesterday. This includes rice, sugar, onions, potatoes, cooking oil and tea. We will provide the remaining items as soon as supply improves. Here are a few images of families who received the relief packages.

Thotmahai Raingam, Vice President, Tangkhul Welfare Society Mumbai, who helped coordinate the relief efforts with a team of volunteers said, “We are very grateful to your organization for the generous donations. Heartfelt gratitude to all your team members who worked very hard just to help us get what we needed at the right time. Thank you very much for your kindness.” 

CJP hopes to provide additional assistance to these families after one week if we manage to get more supplies.  

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In its continue efforts to help the most marginalized sections of society, Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has stepped up once again, this time in response to the lockdown brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic that has left many impoverished and deprived communities struggling for basic necessities.

Just like CJP’s role in providing relief during the 2005 deluge in Mumbai, it has swung into action once again, armed with its expertise and support from similar partner organizations.

The 21-day lockdown imposed in India to curb the spread of the coronavirus outbreak, put the marginalized like the domestic workers, migrant labourers, daily wagers, scrap purchasers, auto and truck drivers, vegetable and fruit vendors, sex workers, waiters, delivery boys and Mathadi workers among scores of others at risk of perishing from hunger.

Though the government announced relief for the impoverished communities, the threat of looming hunger, came first and was much more frightening than the threat of contracting the coronavirus.

CJP immediately stepped on ground with partner organizations like Prayas – Ek Koshish, the Jimme Foundation, Haq Hai and Habitat and Livelihood Welfare Association (HALWA) among others, with a mission to provide aid to around 3,000 families in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

CJP’s volunteers, as those of other partner organizations came together, risking their lives even in this pandemic, to take stock of the situation and be the firm link in the now ruptured supply chain. Procuring raw materials and ensuring transport facilities reaching the last of the urban marginalized in need, the volunteers portrayed seamless efficiency in completing the task while ensuring social distancing and following all safety guidelines.

Unrelenting and toiling away in the thick of the pandemic, CJP and its partners have brought relief to over 700 families. Keeping in mind daily necessities, the organizations designed a relief package consisting everything needed for nutrition and hygiene.

Each package costing about Rs. 1,000 provides a family of five with 3kgs of rice, 2 kgs of atta, 1 liter oil, 2kgs dal, 2kgs potato, 2 kgs onion, 2kgs sugar, 250 gms tea, 2 bars each of bathing and washing soap, and one packet each of salt and masala.

Till date, CJP has provided 290 kgs of rice, 200 kgs of wheat flour, 105 liters of cooking oil, 60 kgs of kabuli chana (chickpeas), 60 kgs of pulses, 400 kgs of potatoes and 400 kgs of onions.

It has served areas like Andheri West, Goregaon, Jogeshwari, Malwani and Kamathipura up until now and with more donations from good samaritans of the society coming in, it hopes to reach many more such families till government aid actually starts to trickle in.

Not only is CJP running on-ground efforts, it is also connecting aspiring volunteers with organizations that provide aid, in case they wish to take up individual efforts in helping the marginalized. For this, CJP has prepared an extensive Google sheet, consisting of the names of the organizations in the MMR who are already out there doing relief work for those in need. 

To ensure that volunteers who wish to pitch in and help in the current situation, CJP has also published volunteer guidelines to ensure that those going out in the community take extra precautions so as to not kickstart local or community transmission of the virus.

CJP is using its robust social media presence to not only engage people in relief efforts and spread information about the situation, but it is also constantly keeping people informed of the use of the monetary aid that has come in generously, as part of being accountable for its undertakings.

The battle to fighting and tiding over the Covid-19 seems to be a long one. However, while the government does its bit, CJP says it is organizations like them who can reach into the nooks and crannies of the community to ensure no one is left behind in this battle for survival.

CJP vows to not give up and appeals to corporates, organizations and individuals to come forward and pitch in, so that the deprived can feel a sense of home when they need it the most. 

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While the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre is yet to announce an economic aid package to tackle the Covid-19 outbreak in India, state governments have swung into action with Uttar Pradesh being the first state to announce that around 35 lakh labourers in the state would get Rs. 1,000 each in a monthly “maintenance allowance” and free ration for a month would be given to 1.67 crore construction workers. The same would put a burden of Rs. 150 crore on the state exchequer, the government estimated, The Indian Express reported.

The decision was taken after a high-level committee chaired by State Finance Minister Suresh Khanna who said that there were 20.37 such labourers who would be given the Rs. 1000 per month through direct benefit transfer. The government also asked the Urban Development Department to make a database of the 15 lakh vendors, rickshaw-pullers, etc. who earn their livelihood in local markets for them to avail the allotted financial aid.

Apart from this, the government also ordered pension under different categories like widow pension, old-age pension for the nearly 83 lakh beneficiaries for two months.

“Instructions have been given to clear all the dues of MGNREGA workers. Along with this, all the Antyodaya card holders, MGNREGA card holders, construction workers registered with the labour department and daily workers, would be immediately given one month long food grains. These amount to 1 crore, 65 lakh and 31 thousand in the state” said Adityanath.

Kerala

The Kerala government was the first to announce a financial aid package of Rs. 20,000 crore to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, with Rs. 500 crore being allotted for health and Rs. 2,000 crore being allotted for loans and free ration.

Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, “Without differentiating families based on Below Poverty Line (BPL) and Above Poverty Line (APL) cards, everyone will be given free rice. APL families will be given a total of 10 kg cereals. For this Rs. 100 crore has been allotted.”

He also announced that Rs. 2000 crore would be disbursed to families in need and social security pensions scheduled for April would be advanced and distributed in March itself to about 50 lakh people across the state. Those who do not receive pension would be given Rs. 1,000 each.

Around 1,000 low-cost food outlets where meals would be available for Rs. 20 would begin in April and it must be noted that the government delivered midday meals to people’s homes as 26,000 children under the midday meal scheme in 33,115 anganwadis were affected by the closure.

Telangana

Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao announced that one month’s ration would be disbursed to those with white ration cards (88 lakh people) and 12 kg of rice would be given to each person. Rs. 1,500 would also be given to each family as financial assistance for buying essential times and over Rs. 2,417 crore would be sanctioned by the State for the same.

It also ordered that construction companies should pay their workers’ wages for the week.

New Delhi

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced pension, free ration and food for those afflicted by poverty as measures to reduce the stress on people during the Covid-19 outbreak. He said that Rs. 4,000 – 5000 pension would be paid to 8.5 lakh beneficiaries by April 7, 2020 and free ration with more than 50 percent of the normal quantity would be disbursed to 72 lakh beneficiaries.

Lunch and dinner would be served free of cost to those at Delhi government night shelters.

Odisha

The Odisha government has decided to distribute rice, wheat and kerosene to the 3.26 crore beneficiaries of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) and 4.50 lakh beneficiaries of the State Food Security Scheme for three months in advance to help them tide by the Covid-19 outbreak, Hindustan Times reported.

It has sanctioned Rs. 225 crore from the state disaster respond fund to deal with measures like developing quarantine units, accommodation, food and medical care, setting up of labs and procurement of essential equipment.

The beneficiaries have been given a 45-day window from April 1 to May 15 to collect the foodgrains to avoid rush at the fair-price shops. For the same, the government is set to spend Rs. 96 crore. CM Naveen Patnaik has sought the Centre’s help for NREGS workers, farmers, construction workers and demanded that NREGS workers be paid wages of at least 50 days in advance. He also sought additional installments for farmers under the Centre’s income support scheme called PM Kisan.

The state has also announced the distribution of old-age pensions four months in advance to ensure that the elderly have availability of cash during the crisis.

Bihar

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar too announced a relief package for people under lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. According to the government, families who possess ration cards will be given free ration for a month along with Rs. 1,000. All pensioners would be provided 3 months pension in advance to cover medical and other costs.

Health workers are also set to get an additional basic salary of one month as an incentive measure.

West Bengal

The West Bengal government announced that amid the Covid-19 outbreak, people who were getting rice and wheat at subsidized rates would now get a maximum of five kilos for free for the next six months. This is set to benefit 7.85 crore people in the state.  

Punjab

Punjab CM Amarinder Singh announced a package of Rs. 3,000 each for all registered 318,000 construction workers in the state. The same would be transferred to their bank accounts starting Monday, March 23, 2020. A total of Rs. 96 crore would be used for this purpose.

Rs. 20 crore has been sanctioned from the CM’s relief fund for relief measures like giving free food, shelter and medicines to those in need.

While more states are in the process of announcing measures, the Centre is yet to announce a relief package for the country. Three days ago, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the economic package would be announced “as soon as possible” without giving a deadline for the announcement.

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The post Delhi violence: Volunteers submit memorandum of demands to Delhi gov’t about relief and rehabilitation appeared first on SabrangIndia.

We went to North-East Delhi where communal violence had broken out on February 24, 2020 and carried on till February 26, 2020. As per latest figures available, 42 people have died, more than 200 are injured and thousands have been rendered homeless due to destruction and looting of their houses. We met with Muslim and Hindu families in Bhajanpura, Chaman Park and Shiv Vihar to understand their immediate concerns and whether ongoing relief efforts adequately address their needs.

1. No Relief being provided by Govt Agencies

Based on seeing the ground situation and talking to affected people, it is clear that the Central and Delhi governments have failed in providing any modicum of relief to those affected or displaced by the recent spate of violence. In each place, families which had to abandon their homes due to violence are taking refuge with their relatives or have made private arrangements in different localities or are staying in temporary accommodation provided by private individuals. The Central and Delhi governments have not set up a single relief camp in the areas which we visited.

During the time of our visit from 3 pm to 7 pm, private vehicles carrying some relief material reached Chaman Park. We did not find any government agency or representative involved in co-ordinating or delivering relief during the time we were there. Further, everyone we spoke to reported having received assistance only from non-government entities. According to those present at the site, all relief including food, clothing and medicines are being provided only by private entities- either through religious bodies (Gurudwaras, Church) or through civil society groups.

The abdication by the Delhi and Central governments, of their basic responsibility of providing help to people rendered homeless and vulnerable due to violence is shocking. After maintaining a deafening silence for more than 3 days after the violence broke out, the measures announced by the Delhi government are inadequate to meet even the basic needs of affected persons – we did not find even those being implemented on the ground during our visit.

We call upon the Central government and the Delhi government to immediately provide relief in a dignified manner to those who have been affected by the violence. The Chief Minister, ministers of the Central and Delhi government, MPs and MLAs must meet with all affected persons and immediately initiate confidence building measures. Relief measures must include:

• Safe shelter with adequate privacy for families who have been forced to abandon their houses, where they can stay till their homes are rebuilt and the atmosphere is conducive for their return;

• Provision of cooked food, preferably through 24*7 community kitchens in the area and provision of milk, vegetables at subsidized rates through mobile vans;

• Establishment of 24*7 medical camps in affected areas including availability of gynaecologists and child psychologists;

•  Provision of clean clothing for all affected persons;

• Setting up camps for helping people obtain copies of official documents which have been destroyed in the violence and arson;

• Setting up facilitation desks for providing legal help and completing formalities for seeking compensation;

• Immediate rebuilding and repair of all places of worship damaged in the violence;

• Delhi government officials must be present and easily accessible in the affected areas;

• Procedure for applying for compensation must be simple taking into cognisance that most affected people would have lost their documents in the violence and arson.

2. Observations from the Sites we visited

Chaman Park

Nearly 1000 people, from the Muslim community, who fled from their homes in Shiv Vihar due to the violence, are taking shelter in private homes in nearby Chaman Park.

We visited two of these homes, where hundreds of people, mostly women and children, were sitting on the floor in different rooms. One room was functioning as a medical camp. The homes belong to private individuals who opened them up to provide emergency shelter. People were extremely anxious and traumatised about the condition of their homes and their future. Several people stated that when men attempted to return to Shiv Vihar to retrieve belongings, especially their documents, they were brutally attacked and there were reports of some people being murdered (we cannot verify this independently). Most families had fled with nothing other than the clothes on their backs. Children appeared to be experiencing a lot of trauma as well. They spoke of the violence they had witnessed- houses being burnt, people attacked by mobs. Several children were extremely concerned about missing out on their final exams, especially those who had to appear for board exams.

We met with a young man who had stitches on the back of his head and his left eye was swollen shut. He said he was returning from Karawal Nagar to check on the condition of his family on the evening of the 25th of February, when he was caught by 16-17 men who asked whether he was Hindu or Muslim. Upon hearing that he was Muslim, they mercilessly beat him. He received the stitches on his head at GTB Hospital but said he was too scared to return to the hospital to get his eye treated.

People shared that a Madrasa and 2 masjids in the area- Auliya Masjid and Madina Masjid – were set on fire and looted and destroyed from inside. People said they saw mobs armed with petrol bombs, guns and rods setting fire to homes and attacking people. People said that calls to emergency numbers of Police (100) and Fire Brigade (101) went unanswered. Most people took help of neighbours or relatives to escape while one family reported that the Police helped them escape from their house. As Shiv Vihar is a mixed locality and in several lanes, there are Hindu and Muslim families, we asked people whether they could see recognisable faces of their neighbours in the mob. Every person who we spoke to said it was outsiders who were in the mob- no local person was involved in the violence.

People said that they require accommodation in the local area with atleast one room dwelling per family and facility for cooking, till they can rebuild their homes or take other appropriate action. Most were terrified of returning to Shiv Vihar.

While private homes, in Chaman Park and elsewhere, have provided emergency shelter, it was clear that it would not be feasible for people to stay there beyond a few days. Relief in terms of food, clothing and health camps was being provided through non-government organisations.

People we spoke to had no information about the compensation scheme announced by the Delhi government and no one had even seen the form which is required to be filled up. No representative of the Delhi or Central government had visited them.

Shiv Vihar

We visited the deserted galis of Shiv Vihar, which resembled a ghost town. Thousands of people, both Hindus and Muslims, have abandoned their homes due to the riots. Rapid Action Force personnel were stationed at every corner. Blackened walls of houses, charred remains of vehicles, burnt household items, furniture from shops strewn on the streets and barricades put up using almirahs and desks bear testimony to the tragic consequences of communal hate & violence.

We came across the burnt Auliya masjid and could see the remains of gas cylinders which had been lit and thrown inside. It was our impression that primarily targeted attacks were made on houses and places of worship of Muslims. Some houses belonging to Hindus were also burnt and damaged.

We could only locate a few Hindu families in the riot affected area, and most of them said they were taking shelter in nearby localities of Johripur and other areas. They said that all the Muslims had abandoned their homes. We met with Mithlesh and Sunita, who are neighbours and run a small halwai (sweet) shop in Gali no. 14, 25 foot road. They said that armed mobs entered lanes from both sides and burnt dwellings, destroyed homes, attacked people. They said they tried calling the police and fire brigade repeatedly, but with no success. Two brothers-in-law of Sunita who were standing in the lane during the violence were injured. One is admitted to GTB with severe burn injuries while the other was standing there with his head in a bandage. The women said that while their houses were not set on fire, they left the area on Wednesday morning (26th of February) due to the violence and when they returned to retrieve their belongings, they found furniture and appliances in the house had been damaged. They said that it appeared people were brought in from outside to do this violence as they could not identify any known person from the locality.

Several people (only Hindus as no Muslim families have been able to return) reported that the SDM had visited the area and taken down their details for the compensation form.

Bhajanpura

While travelling towards Bhajanpura from the Seelampur metro station, we saw that most shops had their shutters down. We saw several burnt school buses, trucks, vehicles and also the remains of the burnt petrol pump.

At Bhajanpura main road, we saw the Mazar which had been set on fire. It was barely 10 feet away from a Police Help Centre (located on the same pavement). Page 5 of 6

The first three shops on the left side of the road were completely burnt. We met with Azad and his brother Bhoora, who along with 2 other brothers owned these shops – a restaurant called Azad Chicken Centre, a shop selling peanuts and chickpea and a fruit shop. In the whole market only these three shops had been set on fire. Burnt fruits, furniture from the restaurant lay strewn around. The brothers said that a mob set the shops on fire around 2.30pm in the afternoon of the 24th of February, 2020 and started pelting stones on them. Their houses which are located on top of the shops also caught fire. They tried to douse the flames engulfing their vehicles and shops but when tear gas shells were thrown into their houses, 16-17 of them (including their little children, women and workers from the restaurant), saved themselves by running to the terrace and jumping into the back-lane from a 12 feet high terrace. They said that 8-10 policemen were standing and watching but did not control the mob, as perhaps they were vastly outnumbered. Despite repeated calls to emergency numbers, the first fire brigade arrived only around 7 pm by which time the shops and houses were completely gutted and all the belongings inside were reduced to ashes. Seeing the condition of the house and the shops, it was clear that the structures were extremely unsafe and would need to be demolished and then rebuilt. The brothers felt that only their shops were targeted as they were Muslims. While none of the other shopkeepers helped during the attack, most of them sat with the brothers through the night and extended solidarity.

The brothers shared that they returned at night and tried to secure the entrance in a bid to protect their valuables and belongings, but everything had already been ransacked and looted including money and jewellery kept in the house. All the remaining clothes, documents had been burnt and household appliances and fixtures had been broken including the wash basins. They had not heard of the compensation offered by the Delhi government and said no official, other than the Police had met with them. When we told them about the compensation announced, they said that the government should extend loans as well as the compensation amounts declared may not be adequate. They were keen to rebuild and restart all three shops. The brothers proudly shared that their grandfather Bundu Khan had served in the Indian Army.

Report released on March 1, 2020.

Videos:

1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eAUEJ_7saRI
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HYFtJ87IHxg
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JsAHl8LsDeA
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iGyYK4GGD08
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boatud4eQ28
6. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGSCF_5M7Qk

The post Govt(s) Centre & State absent from relief operations: Delhi Carnage appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Post the violent clashes in Delhi, the Chief Minister of the national capital Arvind Kejriwal held a press conference announcing relief and rehabilitation measures for the families of the deceased and for the injured.

He announced that the ‘Farishtey’ scheme that was announced for accident victims in the capital, would now also be applicable to the crime-affected and riot-affected victims. Under this, victims of the riots can begin treatment at private hospitals and the charges for the same would be reimbursed by the Delhi government.

He also said that the Delhi government would provide ration to people in areas that are under curfew with the help of NGOs, RWS, local councilors and public representatives. He also launched round the clock helpline numbers for relief and rehabilitation. An app where people can register their claims will also be launched by the government soon.

The CM has announced that 12 Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) will be deployed to oversee the support, relief and rehabilitation activities. While 2 SDMs will remain in reserve, 4 night magistrates shall be deployed to coordinate relief activities and respond to emergent situations. They will also patrol their respective areas with the police during night hours.

Apart from announcing a compensation of Rs. 1 crore to the family of head constable Ratan Lal who was killed in the violence, he has announced a compensation of Rs. 10 lakh for the families of the deceased, out of which Rs. 1 lakh would be ex-gratia and Rs. 9 lakh would be given after verification of documents. In case of the death of a minor and permanent incapacitation he announced a compensation of Rs. 5 lakh, a Rs. 2 lakh compensation for a ‘serious’ injury, Rs. 20,000 compensation for minor injuries and Rs. 3 lakh compensation for those who have been orphaned.

In case of loss of animals / cattle, a compensation of Rs. 5000, in case of a burnt / damaged rickshaw a compensation of Rs. 25,000 and in the case of a damaged / burnt e-rickshaw a compensation of Rs. 50,000 was announced.

The Delhi CM also said that those whose houses were destroyed in the violence would get Rs. 5 lakh compensation. In case of a rented apartment, the landlord would get Rs. 4 lakh and the residents would receive Rs. 1 lakh for the loss of their belongings. Those requiring immediate relief in case of loss of residence, an ex-gratia compensation of Rs. 25,000 was announced.

A Rs. 2 lakh compensation was announced in case of substantial damage to the house. In case of damage to an uninsured commercial establishment, the compensation would be Rs. 5 lakh.

CM Kejriwal also announced that the Revenue Department would put up special camps for the remake of documents like ID cards, Aadhaar cards, community certificate, income certificate, property deeds, etc. which may have been destroyed after arson and violence to people’s homes.

He has also directed the Finance department to coordinate with insurance companies and settle claims of those people whose insured shops, vehicles, etc. have been destroyed in the violence. Subsidized loans on easy terms will also be granted to such persons.

The state government will provide books and uniforms to children whose books have been burnt in the violence. Children who were not able to give the CBSE and ICSE board exams will be provided another date by the government to do so. 

He also said that nobody should play politics over these riots. He said nobody from any political party, whether from his own, if found guilty of perpetrating violence, should not be spared.

The complete video of his press conference may be viewed here.

Related:

After communal violence Gujarat’s Khambhat put under Disturbed Areas Act for 5 years
Delhi violence: 35 dead, petrol bombs, stones recovered from AAP leader’s home
Stories of Harmony over Hate: Delhi violence
Delhi Police have not intervened in attacks against Muslims: USCIRF

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