Send SMS to helpline number, don’t call: Delhi BJP clarifies

Even 24 hours after Delhi BJP issued a helpline number for the poor and the needy of the city under the ‘Feed the Needy' programme, people on Friday complained that the number provided is continuously ‘switched off since Thursday.

However, BJP later clarified that there was an error in the initial statement, which was later corrected that the people don't need to make call on the helpline number but only need to send their address, name and mobile number to receive the help from the party.

After IANS highlighted the matter, Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari in a tweet clarified that the party has issued an SMS helpline number.

In the tweet, Tiwari said, "An SMS helpline number has been issued for the needy. People need to send their name, address and mobile number for receiving help from the BJP. Few people are making calls on this number, thus we request all to send SMS only."

Neelkant Bakshi, head of media relations of Delhi BJP, told IANS that people need to send their requests on the SMS helpline number between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and ration will be delivered to them on the same day or the next day.

According to party sources, the Delhi BJP started the helpline on pilot trial basis a few days ago.

"It was noticed that people from Gujarat, Bihar and other states were making calls for help. But it was not possible for the Delhi BJP team to deliver ration in other states, so it was decided that instead of a call helpline number, it should be converted into an SMS helpline number dedicated to the national capital," the source added.

The Delhi BJP in a statement on Thursday said that with the aim that no needy or poor families should be deprived of food during the lockdown, food and ration will be provided to millions of people daily by BJP workers under the ‘Feed the Needy' programme under the leadership of Tiwari.

It said that a helpline number -- 9625799844 -- has been issued by Delhi BJP, where needy people can inform about the problems of food through call or message.

However, hours later the party sent a corrected statement asking people to only send messages on the number.

‘Feed the Needy' programme convenor and Delhi BJP General Secretary Kuljeet Singh Chahal said that in this hour of crisis, every party worker is providing necessary assistance to the last person of the society while discharging his duties.

However, when IANS tried to contact the helpline, it was found to be switched off. Even the SMS dropped on the helpline number remained unanswered.

Meanwhile, Delhi BJP workers in several parts of the city have been providing food and ration to the needy and the poor. Besides Tiwari, BJP leaders Tajinder Bagga, Virender Sachdeva, Praveen Shankar Kapoor and several others have been providing food to people in different parts of the city.

On Friday the total number of Covid-19 patients in India rose to 13,387 with 437 people losing their lives to the dreaded virus across the country. In Delhi, 1,640 people have been affected while 38 people have succumbed to the virus.