Karnataka state is collecting Rs.9.5 crore beggary cess through urban local bodies and the amount is being used for the rehabilitation of beggars. More than 6,000 beggars in the state have been provided shelter in different parts of the state.

This was stated by the Central Relief Committee Secretary M Ramaiah during visit to the city on Thursday.
He inspected the functioning of Destitute Relief Centre at Biddapur Colony on Afzalpur Road. According to Ramaiah, the beggary cess of Rs.9.5 crore was being utilised  for various relief and rehabilitation activities of 14 destitute centres across the state.

The relief centres are functioning at Bangalore, Belgaum, Davangere, Tumkur, Kolar, Mysore, Mangalore, Shimoga, Gulbarga, Bijapur, Hubli, Bellary, Chitradurga and Raichur. The respective deputy commissioners are the chairmen of the relief centres managed by the social welfare department.

Ramaiah said, besides providing shelter, the relief centres are also ensuring rehabilitation of beggars by training them in various vocations including tailoring, book binding, chalk-piece making, agriculture, horticulture, carpentry, etc.

He said under the provisions of the Prevention of Beggary Act 1975 indulging in beggary is an offence. Apart from police, the officials of urban local bodies have powers to arrest the persons engaged in beggary. They will be produced before the taluk executive magistrate who will remand them to relief centres for a period ranging from one to three years, he noted.

Gulbarga centre

In Gulbarga relief centre, there are 30 destitutes and they are brought under literacy programme. The secretary said due to inadequate space it has been proposed to construct a new building at a cost of Rs.45 lakh.
After the construction of the new building accommodation will also be provided to women destitutes. He has asked the authorities to appoint a doctor on honourarium to look after the health of inmates.