Spread awareness on schemes for needy women, court tells Delhi

NEW DELHI - Taking note of a destitute womans death after she gave birth to a baby on a pavement here in July, the Delhi High Court Wednesday suggested to the Delhi government to spread awareness about welfare schemes meant for needy women.

The bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justice Manmohan asked the government to explore the possibility of having a separate shelter home for destitute pregnant women and lactating mothers.

The government was also asked to see if any helpline telephone number could be started for such special homes. In the aforesaid shelter homes, it has also to be seen that proper medical facilities are available, suggested the bench.

The court said despite various government welfare schemes, people have not benefited from these.

For such schemes, the government must disseminate information about the shelter homes or other schemes through radio and television in Hindi,” said the court.

The government should also look whether mobile medical units can be used to help the destitute. It should make an endeavour to involve NGOs,” the bench said.

Meanwhile, the government informed the court that the baby girl rescued from a pavement in Connaught Place in July was in good health and the process of her adoption had been initiated.

The bench asked the government to submit their report within four weeks. The next date of hearing is Dec 15.

The court had earlier asked the government to allow Ritu Arthur Frederick, a garment shop owner who rescued the baby girl, to meet her for three days in a week at her foster home in Gole Market.