Bhubaneswar, September, 22, 2017: Bhubaneswar, the capitalcity of Odisha, has 6,559 homeless people, as per the study conducted by ActionAid
with its ally Centre for Women and Children Development (CCWD).
The ActionAid and CCWD undertook a study on the living
conditions of the homeless in Bhubaneswar mobilising more than 50 volunteers
from different slums, and city-based educational institutions.
conditions of the homeless in Bhubaneswar mobilising more than 50 volunteers
from different slums, and city-based educational institutions.
So while the census data says the population of homeless
people in Bhubaneswar is 1,245, the present study done by the ActionAid India
counted as many as 6,559 homeless people.
But despite the fact that there are so many homeless people in the city,
the capacity of the shelter homes for homeless is way below the requirements.
There are just six functional night shelters in Bhubaneswar with a capacity of
less than 400 people, the report stated.
people in Bhubaneswar is 1,245, the present study done by the ActionAid India
counted as many as 6,559 homeless people.
But despite the fact that there are so many homeless people in the city,
the capacity of the shelter homes for homeless is way below the requirements.
There are just six functional night shelters in Bhubaneswar with a capacity of
less than 400 people, the report stated.
Homeless populations have been termed as ‘Citymakers’ in
ActionAid and other studies.
ActionAid and other studies.
The report was unveiled at a programme by Bhubaneswar (North)
MLA Priyadarshi Mishra on Friday.
MLA Priyadarshi Mishra on Friday.
The highest concentration of homeless individuals is found at
places with the most opportunities for employment and shelter like temples,
shopping complexes, railway stations, bus stand, cinema halls and hospitals.
places with the most opportunities for employment and shelter like temples,
shopping complexes, railway stations, bus stand, cinema halls and hospitals.
Of the total homeless population 79 per cent of the people are
male while female constituted 21 per cent and 41 percent are STs and SCs followed
by 41 percent OBC. While 97 percent homeless people are Hindu 93 percent people
are migrated from various districts within Odisha and the rest largely came from
states like Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, the report revealed.
male while female constituted 21 per cent and 41 percent are STs and SCs followed
by 41 percent OBC. While 97 percent homeless people are Hindu 93 percent people
are migrated from various districts within Odisha and the rest largely came from
states like Maharashtra, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, the report revealed.
Construction work was the most common form of economic
activity that survey respondents is engaged in, representing 33 percent of the
sample population. Begging is the next most common, at 28 percent, followed by
rag picking, vending/ hawking goods, and domestic work.
activity that survey respondents is engaged in, representing 33 percent of the
sample population. Begging is the next most common, at 28 percent, followed by
rag picking, vending/ hawking goods, and domestic work.
A strong correlation
is also observed between gender and income. Nearly 30 per cent of women earn
less than Rs 100 per day, compared to only 18 percent of their male
counterparts.
is also observed between gender and income. Nearly 30 per cent of women earn
less than Rs 100 per day, compared to only 18 percent of their male
counterparts.
Out of 1,203 homeless people interviewed, 35.08 per cent are
able to save some money while 64.34 percent are not able to save any money. An
individual’s daily income is found to vary considerably according to the
specific economic activities that he or she is engaged in. Construction
workers, for example, have an average daily income of Rs 271 per day, which is
Rs 61 above the daily average for the total population. Beggars, by contrast,
earn an average of merely Rs 105 per day, which is only about half of the
overall average. Among survey respondents,
nearly 60 per cent work for more than 20 days per month, and 35 per cent percent
work for 11-20 days. Only two per cent of the survey sample work for less than
10 days per month.
able to save some money while 64.34 percent are not able to save any money. An
individual’s daily income is found to vary considerably according to the
specific economic activities that he or she is engaged in. Construction
workers, for example, have an average daily income of Rs 271 per day, which is
Rs 61 above the daily average for the total population. Beggars, by contrast,
earn an average of merely Rs 105 per day, which is only about half of the
overall average. Among survey respondents,
nearly 60 per cent work for more than 20 days per month, and 35 per cent percent
work for 11-20 days. Only two per cent of the survey sample work for less than
10 days per month.
ActionAid programme officer BN Durga and CCWD Secretary Sadasiv
Swain attended was also present.
Swain attended was also present.