Indore: Even as the ruling BJP at the Centre claims to have taken several crores of people out of extreme poverty in the country, scenes of beggars across all ages seeking money abound in many cities.
Now, one of the country’s ‘model’ cities, has made its intention clear to be beggar-free.
Indore, the largest and most populous city in Madhya Pradesh, has made its mark by being adjudged as the ‘Cleanest city in India’ for seven consecutive years. In an ambitious move to consolidate its status, Indore now aspires to be beggar-free.
To achieve that goal, the authorities have announced an extreme measure to ensure. From January 1, 2025, the district administration will start registering FIRs against any person who gives money to beggars.
According to district collector Ashish Singh, the administration has already issued an order banning begging in Indore.
“Our awareness campaign against begging will continue till the end of this month. If any person is found giving alms from January 1, an FIR will also be registered against him/her. I appeal to all residents of Indore not to become partners in the sin by giving alms to people,” the official told mediapersons.
It’s part of a pilot project of the Central government to rehabilitate beggars. Besides Indore, the project covers Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad.
But Indore has come up with a stringent measure to implement beggar-free mission.
The Indore administration made some startling ‘discoveries’ during its anti-begging campaign.
“When we prepare reports, we find some beggars have a pucca house, and others’ children work in a bank. Once we found Rs 29,000 on a beggar. Another beggar loaned money and claimed interest. One gang came with children from Rajasthan to beg here. They were rescued from a hotel where they were staying,” revealed project officer Dinesh Mishra.
An Indore-based organisation has pledged support to the state government in the mission. It will provide shelter to beggars for six months and try to find work for them.
“We are working tirelessly to free people from begging,” said Madhya Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha.
