Lok Sabha Question No. 3319 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-20
Subject: Housing/Shelters for Cold Weather
Ministry: HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Gurjeet Singh Aujla

## MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3319 TO BE ANSWERED ON MARCH 20, 2025

## HOUSING / SHELTERS FOR COLD WEATHER

- NO. 3319.    SHRI GURJEET SINGH AUJLA:

Will the Minister of HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  approximately  6,55,400  deaths occur annually in India due to exposure to extreme cold;
- (b) if so, the steps taken by the Government to provide adequate housing and shelter for vulnerable populations during the financial years 2019 to 2024;
- (c) the details of the studies conducted to identify the regions most affected by cold-related fatalities, if any;
- (d) whether region-specific housing or shelter initiatives have been developed, if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  the  Union  Government  has  taken  any  measures  in  coordination with the State Governments or NGOs to provide winter clothing, blankets and heating facilities to individuals living in poverty or make shift shelters;
- (f) if so, the progress and outcomes of these initiatives to mitigate the impact of cold weather on the vulnerable population; and
- (g) whether the  Government has proposed any special package for Amritsar and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS (SHRI TOKHAN SAHU)

- (a):  The  Government  is  aware  of  the  challenges  of  extreme  cold  conditions, including their impact on vulnerable populations. The data on deaths due to cold weather and cold waves is not maintained by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.

- (b):  It is the primary responsibility of Government of the States/ Union Territories to provide shelters for the urban homeless . However, in order to supplement their  efforts, Ministry  of  Housing  &  Urban  Affairs  administered  Scheme  for Shelter  for  Urban  Homeless  (SUH)  under  Deendayal  Antyodaya  YojanaNational Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), through respective States / UTs . It  focused  on  providing  permanent  shelters  equipped  with  basic facilities to the urban homeless. The mission was in existence till September 2024. Also, MoHUA issues advisories to select States/UTs to prepare winter action plans and run temporary Shelters for Urban Homeless with necessary facilities to accommodate urban homeless during the winter.
- (c): No such study has been conducted by MoHUA.
- (d):  As  per  the  SUH  guidelines,  systematic  third-party  surveys  are  to  be undertaken in cities/towns by the local/municipal bodies to assess accurately the  need  for  shelters  at  suitable  locations.  Shelters  may  cater  to  the  most vulnerable groups within the homeless populations such as (a) single women and  their  dependent  minor  children,  (b)  aged,  (c)  infirm,  (d)  disabled,  (e) mentally challenged, etc. An actual break-up would depend on local particularities,  and  size  of  the  city,  and  the  total  number  of  shelters. States/ULBs may consider setting up separate shelters to cater the special needs such as Shelter for Men, Women, Families, and Special Shelter (for old persons without care, mentally or physically challenged etc).

SUH  guidelines  prescribe  establishing  permanent  shelters  of  concrete  or durable and weather-proof alternate structures, with environmentally friendly designs, rain water harvesting, solar heating/ lighting facilities etc.

- (e) to (g): Under DAY-NULM, this Ministry issues advisory to select States / UTs  regarding  winter  action  plan  to  accommodate  urban  homeless  before harsh  conditions  of  winter  set  in.  It  includes  arrangement  of  temporary shelters, conduct of mobilization drives to mobilize homeless persons to the shelters etc.

No specific package has been announced for Amritsar for extreme cold under

DAY-NULM.

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