Indore, India’s cleanest city, is taking an aggressive step in its quest to become beggar-free. Starting January 1, the district administration will begin registering FIRs against anyone found giving money to beggars. This drastic move is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to eliminate begging and rehabilitate beggars through a central government pilot project.
District collector Ashish Singh made the announcement, emphasizing that giving alms will no longer be tolerated. “Our awareness campaign against begging will continue until the end of this month. If any person is found giving alms from January 1, an FIR will be filed against them,” Singh stated. He also appealed to Indore residents, urging them not to contribute to the issue by giving money to beggars, calling it “sinful.”
The anti-begging initiative in Indore is part of a broader pilot project by the central government, which also targets nine other cities: Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, and Ahmedabad. The project’s goal is to rehabilitate beggars and offer them opportunities to reintegrate into society.
The campaign has uncovered some surprising findings. According to Dinesh Mishra, the project officer, several beggars have been found to own homes or have children employed in reputable jobs. In one case, a beggar was discovered with ₹29,000 in cash, while another was found lending money at interest. Mishra also noted that one gang brought children from Rajasthan to beg in the city, and they were later rescued from a hotel.
To support the rehabilitation effort, an Indore-based organization has stepped forward to provide shelter and assistance to beggars for six months. Madhya Pradesh’s Social Welfare Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha highlighted that this collaboration will focus on helping beggars find work and reintegrate into society.
The initiative, though controversial, reflects Indore’s determination to create a clean and self-sustaining environment. As the campaign gains momentum, the authorities are hopeful that this move will not only address the issue of begging but also provide beggars with a better future.
Sources By Agencies