KOLKATA: At a time when daily wage
labourers
are finding it difficult to arrange for a meal,
Kolkata Police
has revived the community
kitchens
it had started during the lockdown last year — to feed not just the poor but also stray dogs across the city. At present, at least 2,000 stranded labourers, sex workers and daily wage earners are getting their lunch and dinner cooked by cops.
“A lot of people are stepping forward to help with ration. We plan to run these kitchens till the end of the enhanced restrictions,” said an officer.
Burtolla police are running two programmes. “We are trying to feed around 800 people per day. While around 280 stranded daily labourers are provided lunch, the number almost doubles at night. We have opened our mess and appointed four cooks. A couple of police volunteers also help with cooking. We collected a healthy amount from within the
police station
too. I can continue to feed the stranded for the next two weeks,” said OC Debasis Datta, whose mother, wife and son have tested positive for
Covid
.
The police station has joined hands with women and child welfare minister Shashi Panja to ensure meals for children of sex workers.
Taltala police station is serving food to a sizeable population of migrant labourers, daily wage earners and child labourers. Initiated by deputy commissioner, central division, the officers and personnel prepare food packets daily by pooling resources and distributing them.
Bhowanipore police have tied up with two NGOs — Manavjyot and Bit More Foundation — to feed the needy. “We had started this endeavour last year and wish to continue to provide food, masks and sanitizer to the needy throughout the period of restrictions,” said OC Sumit Das Gupta.
Around 5,000 masks, 2,500 sanitizers and dry food have been distributed in the presence of Sumit Das Gupta,, Miraj Shah and Viresh Shah of Manavjyot and Kshitij Shah of Bit More Foundation.