JOIN USEunuchs a dilemma for Minister
In response to a question, Minister for Social Welfare D Sudhakar, who flagaged off eight vehicles meant to round up beggars in the City, said a rehabilitation package was being worked out for eunuchs who harass motorists at traffic junctions. But the problem, the minister admitted, lay in identifying which department had to take the responsibility for addressing the concerns of this population.a
“There is confusion over whether eunuchs come under the Department of Women and Child Development, Labour Department or the Police. Once this issue is resolved, we can go about solving this problem. A meeting of the department heads will be convened soon to discuss this matter,” the Minister revealed.
The Nirashritara Parihara Kendra (Destitute Home) on Magadi road, set up by the government is likely to be shifted outside the City. The minister said the Department of Revenue has been informed to identify 60 to 70 acres of land for the Centre. Migrant population from Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan form a large part of the beggar population in the city. The centre has enough facilities to rehabilitate 1,100 people, the Minister added. Funds for the programme have been derived from taxes paid to the BBMP. Three per cent of the taxes paid are earmarked for this programme alone, amounting to Rs 6-7 crore a year.
According to the Secretary of the Central Relief Committee, S Krishne Gowda, those rounded up for begging will be produced in front of the magistrate within 24 hours and depending on the duration decided, will be housed at the destitute homes. Under the Karnataka Prohibition of Beggary Act 1975, beggary is punishable by detention for 1-3 years.
In detention, inmates over 16 years of age for boys and over 15 years of age for girls will be provided with all facilities, including medical treatment and also vocational training. Underage boys and girls will be handed over to the Department of Women and Child Development for rehabilitation.
The mentally and physically disabled will be offered counselling. The public have been encouraged to inform the police, if they spot beggars. Police stated that they are ready to book cases against the eunuchs on charges of extortion, if they are found to be harassing motorists.