Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Rehabilitation project for the destitute

Thiruvananthapuram: The City Corporation is working on a project to rehabilitate the inmates of ‘Saakshatkaram,’ a shelter home it runs jointly with the Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust at Kothalam in Fort ward.

The Corporation Council on Monday approved a proposal to establish a rehabilitation centre at Kalladimukham on land owned by the local body. The project involves imparting vocational training for beggars who are willing to work for a living.

The training programme will be designed to equip them in the manufacture of various commodities.

According to S.A. Sundar, chairman of the Corporation’s standing committee on Welfare, tenders have been floated for the construction of two separate buildings to accommodate men and women and two work sheds. The project also includes open-air recreational facilities. The occupants will be encouraged to take up vegetable farming on a portion of the site located in the Attukal ward.

Mr. Sundar said the project, estimated to cost Rs.1.75 crore, was delayed as there were few takers for the tender.

“Contractors are reluctant to take up construction projects due to the spiralling price of inputs.”

He said the shelter home at Kothalam would be retained even after the rehabilitaton centre is opened. “The idea is to provide training to those who can be rehabilitated and brought back to the mainstream of social life. The aged and diseased will continue to be accommodated at Kothalam.”

Ever since the Corporation declared the city a begging-free zone, hundreds of itinerant beggars were rounded up from public places and brought to the shelter. Most of the migrant beggars were persuaded by counsellors to return to their home States, while the mentally-ill were referred to the mental hospital for treatment.

According to the Sri Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust, many of the sick beggars were nursed back to health by social workers.

The council meeting unanimously approved the resolution moved by Deputy Mayor V. Jayaprakash for the construction of buildings for the rehabilitation centre.

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