File Photo: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. (Press Trust of India)
A group of leprosy patients today met Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at his 'janta darbar' programme and urged him to accelerate welfare measures meant for them which they claimed have been withheld for more than 10 years.
The 20-odd patients, who reside at a shelter in northeast Delhi's Seemapuri, got emotional as the chief minister "patted and hugged" them during the interaction at AAP's Kaushambi office.
"I never thought Kejriwal would be so affectionate as to pat and even embrace us. I believe that our problem will be sorted now," said Vidyadhar, head of Vande Mataram Kushth Sewa Samiti.
The group also requested Mr Kejriwal to instruct the officials of the social welfare department to process the pending files which have seen their "leprosy and rationing funds getting withheld for over 10 years".
"Despite being fully eligible for welfare funds, we are not getting our due and so we urged him to relieve our plight," he added.
A number of NRIs - members of Shiromani Akali Welfare Society of London - also met Mr Kejriwal and offered their support for AAP as it looks to fulfil its poll promises.
Around 50 contractual 'malaria beldars' of the Municipal Corporation of Delhi also met Mr Kejriwal with the plea that they be hired as permanent workers.
"Our work is kind of seasonal and, so, at other times we are left jobless. Kejriwal was cooperative and he assured that concrete steps would be taken to solve our woes," said Sandip Tyagi, a beldar.