Delhi government issued an order to Dial 100 if the landlord force tenant to pay rent.

The Delhi government released an order asking all landlords not to ask rent for one month from workers, including migrants, who have been affected by the lockdown caused by a coronavirus. Any landlord identified to be in violation of the order is charged under the Disaster Management Act 2005.

The order issued on April 22 specifies that action should also be taken if landlords compelled students to pay the rent immediately or threatened to evict them. The government also urged workers including migrant workers and students who are coerced to pay house rent by their landlord can call 100.

A large number of citizens stay in the city in rented accommodations. The tenant population is mainly made up of workers and migrant workers and students living in nearly every area of town. The compulsory lockdown of coronavirus has generated tremendous financial hardship for employees, migrant workers and students in addition to citizens involved in various economic activities leading to the closing of business establishments, trading centres, construction activities etc.

The landlords who claim rent from the tenants will add to their distress and may inspire them to move out which is adverse to the lockdown measures.

The chief secretary has ordered all district magistrates to conduct awareness campaigns on the problem especially in areas with a higher density of workers, migrant workers and students to advice affected persons to file complaints in the police control room by calling 100 against the erring landlords.

The chief secretary asked police deputy commissioners to send weekly reports on these complaints lodged by tenants and action taken on the complaints to the DMs on April 27 evening.