Tall claims of removing beggary by the state government and local civic authorities for the last several years, appears to be a mockery of the affairs going on Nagpur streets. At all major squares one can see small children and women begging alms.
In spite of enacting Prevention of Beggary Act, establishment of Beggar Homes, begging has not been eliminated in the country. Surprisingly the Beggar Homes have only a few inmates, while a large number could be seen on the streets.
Media has been publishing photographs and reports on children begging on streets, for the last many years. The civil authorities act and detain the beggars or ward them off for a few days. The scene turns the same within one or two weeks.
Looking at the children and women, it is evident that it is an organised way of getting alms. Many of them are from different parts of India, which can be gauged from their language and attire.
If given clothes to any half naked child, after a few hours the child can be seen naked again.
Efforts by social organisations have also failed to prevent begging on streets. The Corona pandemic might have pushed a few o begging. But the manner in which the beggars ‘work’ at prominent squares and streets, it appears to be an organised programme.
The city Mayor had announced that the city will be free from beggars within a month. But even after years instead of becoming ‘beggar-free’ the city is a place for begging freely.
Lackadaisical approach of the law enforcing agencies has failed to have impact of many social legislation. Due to Corona pandemic, their presence near common citizen make the issue more serious. They neither wear masks, not maintain social distance.
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