Madurai to be beggar-free from tomorrow

Madurai, Apr 8 (UNI) An eyesore of the Temple City will be no more! Begging on the streets here has been banned from tomorrow and a rehabilitation centre for beggars will be established.

Those found begging in public will be arrested henceforth.

This follows the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court's recent directive to the authorities to stamp out begging, assuming menacing proportions in the city.

A coordination committee, comprising revenue and police officials, which met here yesterday has decided to take stern measures to curb begging on the streets, traffic junctions and near temples.

The district administration would put up notice boards, declaring begging as a criminal offence, at prominent places, including temples and important junctions.

After the meeting, District Collector S S Jawahar said legal steps would be initiated against those employing children in begging. Admitting that it was a social issue, he said concerted efforts were being taken to curb this menace. This also required creating awareness among the public, who should desist from extending alms out of compassion, he added.

Measures were being identified to bring the beggars into the mainstream of society, Mr Jawahar pointed out.

According to Additional DGP and City Police Commissioner A Subramanian a recent survey revealed that there were more than 300 beggars in the city. This included, 12 who could not find employment and 80 mentally challenged.

The meeting decided that the police along with the district administration would facilitate their rehabilitation.

UNI