Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 11: Inmates of Nari Niketan Mendhar, under Social Welfare Department, are facing brunt of harsh cold due to neglect and official apathy.
About thirty hapless poor women/girls of this `Nari Niketan’ in district Poonch are facing lot of hardships due to non-availability of basic facilities, woolen clothes, quilts and adequate security at the complex. The existing complex is the most unsafe one situated at the bank of a `nallah’ on the outskirts, with no proper compound wall, toilets and gate. Many of these young girls spent sleepless nights as there is no care taker or even the Chowkidar during the night hours to look after them. In the absence of toilets, they are made to go to nallah for easing themselves.
Some of the inmates told the Excelsior on the condition of anonymity that hardly three days back they lodged their protest with the concerned Superintendent who hardly visits there but she threatened to throw them out if they raised voice. A local Chowkidar is posted there but he goes to his home in the evening and do not stay there during night hours. Even no lady attendant/ staffer stays there at night and with the increasing interference of the outsiders during odd hours, their life is at risk. There was none to listen to their woes and they are not allowed to project their issues and moreover, concerned senior officers of the department never visit to inquire into their problems or monitor the functioning of this House, they maintained.
They alleged that no adequate meals is given to them and mostly sub-standard material is offered to them. They have no shoes, quilts and woolen clothes and other things of daily use. Eggs and meat is never given to them while it has been included in the official menu. During these cold months, girls are offered just blankets and many of them are felling sick. They are hardly provided adequate treatment. Security and safety is the prime concerned of these hapless women which otherwise, has been ignored by the senior officials of the department. They urged the SWD Minister Sakina Itoo to pay a surprise visit, notice the functioning of this House and its staff and listen to their woes.
District Programme Officer ICDS ( SWD), Poonch Dr Zakir when contacted said that he was not aware of these issues as their junior officials never apprised him. Extending gratitude to the newspaper representative, the officer assured to personally visit there and improve the facilities for the poor inmates. He also assured action against the concerned officials, if found guilty.
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