Organised begging to be fully eliminated from Delhi

New Delhi, Jun 9 (UNI) The Department of Social Welfare of the Delhi Government has decided to eliminate organised begging from Delhi as it is giving a bad name to the Capital-city, it was announced today.

The Department's new Director S K Saxena has instructed officers and other members of the Department to intensify action against begging.

It has been decided to impart suitable vocational training to beggars caught red-handed while begging in Connaught Place and other localities, a Delhi Government's spokesperson said.

It has also been decided to continue raids vigourously. This would discourage beggars to involve themselves in this so-called profession.

The Department has sent around eight drug-addict beggars to the Drug-de addiction Centre and others have been sent to Beggars Home at Lampur and Kingsway Camp.

''The Department is committed to taking all possible measures to curb begging/organised begging and rehabilitate beggars in suitable form. The general public has been requested to keep away beggars and discourage them. The public has also been asked to be vigilant as some persons posing as beggars can attempt theft,'' the spokesperson said.

The Department would also ensure that no herd of beggars is visible around religious places.

Begging is an offence, which is punishable.

''The Department would strive to ensure that none of the beggars caught red-handed could avoid punishment for which reliable evidence would be gathered. It has been decided to take fingerprints through the biometric process and video recording on the spot so that prosecution side becomes strong enough,''he said.

The spokesperson said the Department was concerned with the condition of beggars who have been forced to seek alms due to coercive measures adopted by the Mafia operating organised begging in the city.

''The condition of such beggars has become worst as they have no clean clothes and are being paid meagre amount because the Mafia has been collecting the entire begging amount,''the spokesperson added.

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