Govt to frame policy to curb beggary
Administration to set up centres for rehabilitating panhandlers in the City
In order to curb the begging menace in the national capital, the Delhi government will frame an anti-beggary policy after consultations with social activists, members of the civil society and educationists.
“As a policy-maker, we need to relook the issue. We want to frame a policy wherein issues relating to begging and beggars are taken care of in a humane manner,” said Prof Kiran Walia, Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development, Delhi, while inaugurating a workshop on “Begging: Perspective, issues and road ahead”, organised by the Department of Social Welfare and NGO Koshish on Thursday.
The workshop was attended by Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Social Welfare, T R Meena, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Amod Kanth, General Secretary, Prayaas, social activists Dr Vijay Raghavan, Akhileshwar Sahai and Dr Mahesh Sharma.
The minister expressed concern over the menace, as kidnapped children are pushed into begging by the mafia.
“The government’s motive should be to decriminalise and rehabilitate them in such a manner that they stand on their own feet to earn their livelihood by adopting other professions through proper training,” Walia said.
Highlighting the inhuman conditions at beggar homes, the minister said, “The Social Welfare Department will be asked to revamp such homes so that they can be meaningfully utilised for beggars’ welfare. A human approach should be taken while giving shape to these homes.” Walia said the government would set up rehabilitation centres for motivating and rehabilitating beggars by giving them vocational training.
Walia distributed warm clothes and blankets to about 500 people affected by a devastating fire that engulfed slums on Mata Sundari Road.
The minister distributed blankets, sweaters and pants with caps to children, warm and woollen suits and sarees to women, and sweaters, kurta-pyjamas to male members.
