Indore, India’s cleanest city, which now aims to become beggar-free, has taken an extreme step to keep its streets free of beggars. Starting January 1, the district administration will register FIRs against anyone found giving money to beggars.
District collector Ashish Singh informed the reporters that an order prohibiting begging in Indore has already been issued by the government. “We will keep raising awareness about the risks of begging until the end of this month. An FIR will also be filed against anyone found to be providing aid after January 1,” he stated.
“I appeal to all residents of Indore not to become partners in the sin by giving alms to people,” the official added.
As part of a central government pilot project to rehabilitate beggars, efforts are underway to rid the streets of Indore of beggars.
Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad are among the 10 cities that are included in the initiative.
The Indore administration made some shocking disclosures during the anti-begging drive.
“When we prepare reports, we find that some beggars have a pucca house and others’ children work in a bank,” said project officer Dinesh Mishra. “Once we found Rs 29,000 on a beggar. Another beggar loaned money and claimed interest. A group of children from Rajasthan came here to beg. They were rescued from a hotel where they were staying.”
According to Madhya Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha, an organisation located in Indore has stepped forward to help the government with its initiatives.
“The organisation will strive to find them employment while offering them accommodation for six months. “We are putting in a lot of effort to help people stop begging,” he said.
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