By Sandeep Pattnaik
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Bhubaneswar, 23rd Sept 2015: In a bid to provide accommodation to the homeless urbans, Odisha chief secretary on Wednesday directed Collectors and Urban Local Bodies to construct the shelters near bus stands, hospitals, railway stations and other such places where more number of homeless persons are seen. The Collectors have been directed to prepare the detail plan and estimates by 15th October and send those for Government approval.
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Cities like Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, Sambalpur, Berhampur, Puri, Balasore, Bhadrak, Baripada having more than one lakh population, there is requirement for construction of shelter homes in these cities to accommodate around 3270 persons. Till now 9 such shelter homes with total 278 capacities has been built. Other 18 homes have been sanctioned for 10 ULBs during 2014-15. Chief Secretary has directed the Collectors to make those completed shelter homes operational by October, 2015.
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Inmates of these shelter homes will also avail benefit of the social security schemes like old age, disable pension, food security schemes, anganwadi centres, schools, health insurance schemes, skill development training programmes etc. as per their eligibility, Pati instructed officials on Wednesday.
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One shelter home with capacity of accommodating at least 100 persons will be constructed for every one lakh population. The ULBs have been assured of financial assistance at the rate of Rs.40 lakh for one shelter home with capacity to accommodate 50 persons. Cities having the population above one million and cities of special social, historical or tourist importance will taken up on priority under the project. Official sources say, arrangements have been made for providing Rs.6 lakh per annum towards operation and maintenance cost to each shelter home with capacity of 50 persons, according to Secretary H & UD Sri G Mathivathanan.
