Is the government doing enough? What more is needed to improve the situation of homeless population?
Ans. There is a mindset that sees the floating population as a burden on the city’s resources and not as an integral element of urban landscape. It is important to look at who constitutes this population – they are the ragpickers, rickshaw pullers, construction workers and such others. They do not have a home and hence have no identity. Many homeless people are unable to obtain access to pensions, ration cards, justice and health care for example, all these things that they have a right to are often denied because they have no recognised address. The fact that there is no government data on homeless people in Delhi reflects the appalling negligence towards the issue. Slum evictions under JNNURM and Delhi Master Plan are adding to the numbers of homeless. Preparations for 2010 Commonwealth Games will also involve major displacement. In 2004, homes of 150,000 people were bulldozed in Yamuna Pushta – the largest eviction in the capital. In early 2006 over 1500 houses were demolished in De
