Government's Bold Move: FIRs for Those Who Give Money to Beggars

Indore (The Uttam Hindu):  In a bold move to address the issue of begging, Indore, India's cleanest city, is set to implement strict measures to make its streets beggar-free. Starting from January 1, the district administration will register FIRs against individuals who give money to beggars, a decision that is expected to send a strong message to residents and visitors alike.

District Collector Ashish Singh confirmed that the administration has already issued a ban on begging in Indore, and an ongoing awareness campaign will continue until the end of the month. "From January 1, if anyone is found giving alms, an FIR will be filed against them," said Singh. He urged the public to refrain from supporting begging, calling it a "sin" and stressing the importance of community involvement in this initiative.

This is a part of a pilot project undertaken by the central government to rehabilitate beggars. The initiative, which spans across 10 cities including Indore, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Mumbai, seeks to address the root causes of begging and present alternative, sustainable means to the people involved in such activities.

During the campaign, some shocking facts came to light about the actual situation of some beggars. Project officer Dinesh Mishra said that many beggars owned houses and some even had children working in banks. A beggar was found with ₹29,000 in cash, and another was lending money at interest. The officials also discovered a gang from Rajasthan who had brought children to beg in the city and were staying in a hotel. Madhya Pradesh's Social Welfare Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha said that an organization has come forward to extend support to the initiative. The organization will house the beggars for six months and help them seek employment. "We are working day and night to free people from begging and help them reintegrate into society," Kushwaha added.

Indore's bold move forms part of the greater efforts put in by the city to preserve its status as one of the cleanest cities in India, yet simultaneously to provide rehabilitation and a better future for those caught up in the cycle of begging.