New Delhi: As labourers and migrant workers continue to leave the city in hordes, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday offered to pay their house rents if they are unable to do so. Reiterating his appeal to stay back in the city, the Delhi CM said that the gathering of migrant workers sas ‘dangerous’ and everyone must cancel their plans to leave city as the state government was working tirelessly to provide all basic facilities during the lockdown.

The fear of eviction in absence of an income has been one of the key reasons of migrant labourers rushing home to villages. Many said they were evicted by their landlords.

Today, the Central government said house rent should not be demanded from the labourers for this period and action should be taken against those who are asking labourers or students to vacate the premises.

‘Stay wherever you are, we will pay your rent’: CM Arvind Kejriwal

Landlords should not harass their tenants for rent in this hour of crisis. If your tenant fails to give rent after two months, I will compensate it. But if we found someone harrasing their tenants, strict action will be taken against them, said CM Kejriwal

Landlords should not harass their tenants for rent in this hour of crisis.
If your tenant fails to give rent after two months, I will compensate it.

But if we found someone harrasing their tenants, strict action will be taken against them. : CM @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/VqHzjBSt43

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 29, 2020

We have made arrangements for you to stay: CM Arvind Kejriwal

I request the landlords, do not collect the rent and postpone it if your tenants are poor and are unable to pay the rent. If your tenants fails to give the rent later, my Govt will compensate it. But don’t harass the tenants, said CM Kejriwal

I request the landlords, do not collect the rent and postpone it if your tenants are poor and are unable to pay the rent.

If your tenants fails to give the rent later, my Govt will compensate it. But don’t harass the tenants : CM @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/33PIQ64qrE

— AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 29, 2020

“We have made arrangements for you to stay. Sleeping arrangements have been made at schools. An entire stadium has been vacated,” said Mr Kejriwal, whose government has made arrangements to feed the needy through community kitchens.

At least 10 community kitchens are functioning across the city. Besides, all the kitchens which cooked mid-day meals for schoolchildren, have been converted to prepare food for the needy.
Sources said the menu is being changed every day and special focus is being laid on hygiene and nutrition.

“A lot of people are going back to their native places in several states,” Mr Kejriwal said.