PROHIBIT BEGGING

As per the data available with Registrar General of India, Kerala has 3,715 beggers on its streets, among them 1,533 are literate. The statistics reveal that 1,115 are literates but below matriculation, 198 are below graduate, 16 have technical diploma or certificate and 24 are graduates. According to Sri Murugan S a social worker involved in the rehabilitation of street urchins, addiction to drugs, liquor and extravaganza in life led many educated persons into begging.
He said that he had rescued a person from begging who was a graduate from BITS, Pilani. As per the data available a begger earns from Rs 200/- to Rs 2,000/- a day.

According to a report by better India.com in Feb 2018, quoting the Municipal Chairman, Alappuzha would be made a beggar free town. Beggers from various parts of Alappuzha will be rehabilitated and looked after by the civic body. Those from other states will be sent back to their respective homes. The steps taken by the authorities of Alappuzha could be implemented in other districts as well or in the whole state by the government. As per the available information 20 states in India have made their own anti-beggary legislation. Kerala too have adopted Prevention of Begging and Protection of Destitute Beggars Bill, aims to make begging illegal in the state. Any person found taking alms from the public can be taken into custody without warrant by the police.

Muvattupuzha is the town of Kerala swarmed by beggers who earn around Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 a day. Some of these beggars who are brought here by beggars mafia from other states alleged to have committed robberies and subsequently the local residents have caught them and sent away. Some of the children missing from the state are suspected to have kidnapped by beggers mafia but could not be proved with fool proof evidence.

Whatever it may be, beggars and begging in the state are hard realities. When our country as a whole is proclaimed to be making a quantum leap towards economic prosperity should we not address the problem of people under these categories. If we really want to do something constructive in this direction we may take the following steps on top most priority. Gather all beggars at one place in each district. As far as possible send those from other states to their respective homes. Rehabilitate the rest within the state at appropriate shelters. Try to provide possible job opportunities for healthy and literate ones. The weak ones may be sent for medical treatments. If there are someone to adopt any, such may be entrusted to them after due verification. Let us all together ensure that the state of Kerala is made free from begging.

(Indebted to the report of Indian Express dtf 20 Jan 2017 and a report by Malayala Manorama)

KV George
kvgeorgein@gmail.com




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