'A beggar who had escaped from the Centre a week ago died while he was being brought back in a vehicle', principal secretary, social welfare, Venkateshaiah said.
One more inmate of the Beggars Relief Centre here died while being brought back from hospital today, taking the toll in the government run centre to 27 in the past week.
"The beggar who had escaped from the Centre a week ago died while he was being brought back in a vehicle", principal secretary, social welfare, Venkateshaiah said.
Police said over 600 beggars had fled in the last one week "as they were being badly beaten up at the centre".
The government had drawn a lot of flak for the "dismal" conditions at the centre, which resulted in the deaths of 26 inmates in the last six days.
Venkateshaiah said the government has taken many steps to improve living conditions at the centre, the biggest in the state with around 2,500 inmates.
"Apart from cleaning up operations, medical set up is being strengthened with more number of doctors being deployed on a regular basis. Specialists, including gynaecologists will also be available, depending on the need of the patients", he said.
The number of staff would be increased as most inmates are already suffering from many ailments and cannot take care of their personal hygiene, "As a result, we need more number of hands", he said.
Venkateshaiah said deputy commissioners have been asked to ensure proper facilities to beggars at the 14 other relief centres in various districts, including Gulbarga, Mangalore, Mysore, Chitradurga, Kolar, Belgaum, Bijapur and Dharwad.
Ramaiah, secretary Central Relief Committee, said solar heaters are being installed, water filters are being purchased and borewells repaired to provide clean drinking water. Besides, new kitchen utensils, clothes, bedspreads and other toiletries are also being being provided.
"We will also install heavy duty washing machines with hot wash facilities to contain spread of infection", he said.
On reports about a government order envisaging transferring over 123 of 160 acres of prime land on which the centre is located to Bangalore Development Authority for a convention centre, Venkateshaiahhe said only a part of it was being given to BDA to develop a park. "The dilapidated relief centre willbe replaced with a modern building with all amenities," he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}