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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Data drive on beggars-Ananya Sengupta

Data drive on beggars-Ananya Sengupta

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published Published on Jul 15, 2012   modified Modified on Jul 15, 2012
-The Telegraph

Beggars can’t be choosers — not even when it comes to quitting.

The Centre plans to photograph and collect the fingerprints of the country’s estimated 7.3 lakh beggars for a proposed national database to launch a scheme aimed at ending the practice and offering sources of livelihood.

The Union ministry of social justice is overseeing the project and has asked states to furnish details on beggars for the database.

“A rehabilitation package for beggars is being considered and we have asked all states to furnish details on them. A consultation meeting was held on Thursday where we sought suggestions from states on the legal and administrative measures needed to tackle the problem,” a ministry official said.

Sources indicated the rehabilitation package would include vocational and technical training along with housing schemes.

The Centre hopes that once the beggars start earning, they would not only come into the mainstream of society but could also contribute to the exchequer by way of taxes.

According to a 2006 government estimate, annual collections of beggars in Mumbai was around Rs 180 crore — all of it tax-free.

Other issues in the rehab plan include a social security system, separate schemes for able-bodied beggars and treatment of mentally unsound beggars. The points have been discussed in recent meetings along with proposed laws needed to address them.

A separate legislation is planned to redefine the term “beggar”, set up beggar courts, provide medical facilities and ensure punishment for those found involved in organised begging.

A working group of the ministry had proposed an outlay of Rs 925 crore under the current 13th Five- Year Plan for the rehabilitation. The sum awaits the Planning Commission’s approval.

The Centre plans to involve institutions at various levels in the project. “States, urban and rural local bodies and panchayats will be made part of it. NGOs also will have a role,” said the ministry official.

To begin with, the government will provide community shelters to the urban homeless, the official said. Another proposal is to channel donations made to temples and other religious places through NGOs.

According to unofficial figures, Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore have the largest number of beggars but a large proportion of them hail from Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.

The Telegraph, 15 July, 2012, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1120715/jsp/nation/story_15730811.jsp


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