Indore (Madhya Pradesh): After becoming a role model for not only India but the world in cleanliness, now Indore is making waves with its anti-beggary campaign.
It was a proud moment for the city on Tuesday, when the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment invited the state government for a presentation on making Indore a ‘beggar-free city’. The success story of the drive will be presented in the ‘Chintan Shivir’ (national level conference) of the department of social justice to be held in Dehradun on April 7 and 8.
A top level official of the district administration informed the Free Press that an official of the Union ministry of social justice and empowerment had sent a letter to Sonali Ponkshe, principal secretary, Government of MP, in this regard on Tuesday. He informed Sonali that the department of social justice was organising a ‘Chintan Shivir’ in Dehradun on April 7 and 8 to deliberate on various issues concerning the states, particularly focusing on the implementation of schemes, Acts and policies. This forum would also provide an excellent opportunity for states to showcase their achievements and best practices in the social welfare domain.
“I would like to invite you to make a presentation on Madhya Pradesh’s efforts and best practices in making the city of Indore beggar-free. It would be invaluable to hear about the initiatives taken, challenges faced and successful strategies adopted by your state in achieving this goal,”’ the official said in the letter.
FIRs lodged against those giving alms to beggars
On the initiative of collector Asheesh Singh, an anti-beggary drive was launched in the city about five months ago, criminalizing begging as well as giving alms to beggars. Spots like areas outside religious places, prominent squares etc were identified, where usually beggars are found. The beggars were first persuaded to give up begging. Then they were caught and sent to a shelter home in Seva Dham, Ujjain. On the other hand, people were asked not to give alms to any beggar. Even FIRs were lodged against as many as eight people who were found giving alms to beggars. Interestingly, cash of Rs 75,000 was recovered from the beggars who were caught by the team of women and child development department. Some beggars also stayed in hotels after begging and this incident became national news. Now, the squares, streets and areas near religious places appear to be free from beggars.
To note, during its seven-year “cleanest city” streak, Indore got the tag for two consecutive years under the leadership of Asheesh Singh, as he was the municipal commissioner then.
