DCW notice on condition of old age home

Appalled at the condition of an old age home at Bindapur, Delhi Commission for Women chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday issued a notice to the secretary of the social welfare department after she found poor management and upkeep of the home during a visit to the centre on the occasion of Mother’s Day.

“The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chairperson Swati Maliwal and two other members were appalled to discover several shortcomings in the operation and management of the government-run old age home and a notice is being issued to secretary, social welfare, regarding it,” said a senior DCW official.

The facility housed a total of 72 people — 54 females and 18 males. There is an acute shortage of staff and the DCW chairperson was “appalled” to note that mentally ill women were being kept in one hall with minimal facilities, he said.

It was also evident that the mentally ill were not being cared for properly. Sanitation too was found to be “extremely poor” as a nauseating odour was prevelant during the visit.

Inmates of the old age home complained about poor food quality and lack of cold water for drinking. There is no water connection and the water needs are being met through a single tanker.

The elderly women living there told the DCW chairperson and other members about the need for employment-generation activities so that they could use their time fruitfully.

The security system of the old age home was also without any CCTV camera. Besides issuing the notice, the commission will also make detailed recommendations to the Delhi government for improving conditions of old age homes, the official added.