Nagpur police officials stated that individuals who are economically well-off but pose as beggars will be identified and removed from the city, while the majority of others will receive rehabilitation through both government and non-government assistance as much as possible.
A multi-modal committee has already been formed to oversee the initiative, following the central government’s decision to make 10 cities, including Nagpur, ‘beggar-free’.
In 2022, a survey found nearly 1,600 beggars and vagabonds in Nagpur, with about 450 of them being provided shelter in facilities run by government and non-government organizations. While a large number of beggars were removed from the city during the C20 World Summit, their rising numbers now suggest they are returning over time.
The strict enforcement of anti-begging laws in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has raised concerns that beggars may be moving to Nagpur, the nearest major city, as a result of the crackdown.
In response to the central government’s decision to make 10 cities, including Nagpur, ‘beggar-free’, local authorities and the police have begun efforts to identify beggars in the city. This process will involve gathering information about their economic background, the reasons for their dependence on alms, and details regarding family support and kin.