Can BBMP keep beggars off the city streets?

Y Maheswara Reddy | NT

The state social welfare department aims to make Bengaluru a beggar-free city. It has made arrangements to conduct a survey, which aims to collect data on the number of beggars in Bengaluru and the circumstances that pushed them to seek alms.

Recently, the Social Welfare Minister has directed the officials to hold a meeting with the non-governmental organisations assigned to conduct the survey.

The minister has also directed officials to ensure completion of the survey and submit it to the Central Relief Committee as early as possible, as the number of beggars at traffic signals and junctions has been on the rise.

“It is painful to see small children begging at the traffic signals. I want the authorities concerned to admit such children into residential schools to provide the much-needed boarding facility and education,” said Narendra N., a motorist.

The number of beggars in Bengaluru, is the highest in the state. Most of them are seen seeking alms in front of religious places such as temples, mosques and churches.

“I have seen many beggars in front of temples. There are occasions where they compete among themselves to draw the devotees’ attention. I want the temple managements to stop them from begging by either providing free food or providing financial assistance,” opines Subrahmanya S, a resident of Cambridge Layout.

Many beggars are seen seeking alms in front of Shirdi Sai Baba Temple on Thursdays, she added.

The BBMP and non-governmental organisations have been trying to raise awareness among the public not to encourage beggars at traffic signals and other places by giving money. A group of volunteers led by Vinod Kartavya, a DRDO employee, have started Beggars Free Bharat Movement.

They have organised programmes at prominent traffic junctions to raise awareness among the motorists. “We do not want the public to give money to the people begging at traffic junctions. There is a beggar mafia which is exploiting children,” said Kartavya, adding that the Governor appreciated the initiative to make Bharat free from beggars.

The Karnataka Prohibition of Beggary Act 1975 prohibits begging at public places. The police can produce people, found begging at public places, before a magistrate who can pass a sentence of detention in the nearest relief centre for a period of one year, which can be extended to three years.

In 2012, a survey was conducted to find out the number of beggars across the state. It found 20,758 beggars across the state and 7,625 beggars in Bengaluru. “The BBMP revenue authorities collect three per cent of the property tax for the rehabilitation of beggars. I think the BBMP is collecting the cess from property owners and giving the amount to the rehabilitation centres based on the survey conducted in 2012.

I want the BBMP authorities to conduct the survey once again to know the actual number of beggars and facilitate allocating funds,” said Vinod Kartavya, adding that he does not want people of Bengaluru to give money to the beggars as they have already paid along with the property tax.

Meanwhile, Beggars’ Colony Secretary Lokanath has said the BBMP authorities have to conduct a survey on beggars in Bengaluru. “Hundreds of beggars are being rehabilitated here. Recently, we got the government’s nod to open five more rehabilitation centres,” said Lokanath.