Although anti-beggary campaign has been kicked off in State capital Bhopal by surveying and identifying the beggars on city roads but such kind of efforts have been already proved as wastage of time and Government budget, claims the social workers. A team of eight SDMs, tehsildar and officials of Social Justice Department has been formed to identify the beggars on city roads and prepare their profile for further action. Action has been taken by the District Collector under Beggar-Free India Campaign. This idea comes from the neighbouring city Indore where anti-beggary campaign was launched in February 2024.

 

Though number of beggars were reduced in Indore’s street but many of them are still seen on the road side. Bhopal Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh has said that to plan for rehabilitation and livelihood map for the beggars. While identifying the beggars on city road, team has found highest number of beggars in Govindpura division and Gandhi Nagar slum. The team surveyed at all squares, tri-way, bus stands, railway stations and religious spots. On first day, around 200 beggars were identified and especially in Govindpura division, 130 beggars were identified.Rashid Noor, a social activists in city said, “interesting part is that those involved in begging at city roads are paying their daily income to their leaders. Many of them are rigorously addicted of drugs, alcohol, etc. “He further said, survey and identification of beggars has begun in city but there is no scrutiny on reason behind the act. He said, campaign has began but nobody knows how long this is going to be continued.

 

“Main reason of rising beggary on city roads is poverty. After enlisting the beggars, there should be a detail plan to connect them with livelihood. Rehabilitation should be must for all,” said Archana Sahay, Director of Arambh. She further informed that after begging on city streets, they are not using the money for good deeds while they are spending money in drugs and other toxic material. “A few years back, such campaign was conducted in the city but result was nothing. There are also some people involved in beggary as backbone of their family,” added Archana Sahay. She said, during year 2015, her NGO Arambh had conducted a drive to survey the beggars and found many children begging to run livelihood of families.