Note ban: From being rendered homeless to becoming cashless, Delhi’s pavement dwellers bear the brunt

Many of them have faint memories of their native villages in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. Their parents had come to Delhi in search of employment, some managed to make a living while the others were banished to the catacombs of society. These people now comprise the homeless who have sought refuge around Connaught Place.

The homeless, have always been in the news during the winter season, as they would die in the hundreds during the nail-biting weather. But this time around, demonetisation has hit them harder, as the meagre cash, that they used to make by selling balloons, roses and begging has been completely wiped off.  

“We sell balloons for a living. My wife and I used to earn Rs 300-400 everyday before the note ban. But after the ban we can barely make Rs 100. There are times when we don’t earn at all, and literally starve some days,” said Savitri, a homeless balloon seller.

For many of the homeless in Connaught Place, the last refuge used to be a meal at the local Hanuman temple. They used to get at least a two-time meal in the temple. But after the demonetisation drive, they hardly get any meals.

“Last Tuesday we managed to eat from the temple. The devotees are generous enough to contribute. But the temple attendants barely give us any food these days. I have a five member family. It is getting extremely tough to feed them,” said Shiva, who stays with his family near Mohan Singh Place subway. With the onset of winters, many of the homeless have been a vulnerable lot. 

This year round, according to the data by the Centre for Holistic Development (CHD), 161 homeless people have died in the month of December, with 55 deaths reported from Daryaganj. Many of the families living out in the open have told this paper that they have not received blankets and food like last year as the local NGOs are also cash strapped. 

“I did not receive any blankets this year. The winters have been harsh like always, the people from NGOs did not give us anything. They also run a slum school in the locality and we are grateful that at least our children are safe and looked after. But it is getting extremely hard for us,” said Shiva. 

He sleeps out in the open while his children stay in a hostel run by local NGOs. 

He is unable to sleep with his children in the local shelters made by DUSIB as several unscrupulous elements like drug addicts also sleep there.  

“There are around 9-10 girls in the area and they go to the local school. We can’t bring them with us as I fear for their safety. All I want now is to get my identification cards made as I have none. For many of us, identification cards are a big issue as we can avail several benefits if we have one. I just hope that business picks up in the future and I am able to get work again,” he added.