Syllabus:

GS2: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Context: 

Recently, Indore has been declared as India's first beggar-free city.

More on the News

• In 2024, there were approximately 5,000 beggars on the city's streets when the city administration launched a campaign to eliminate begging.

As part of the campaign:

• Begging was completely banned in the city.
• It also became illegal to give money to beggars or buy anything from them.

The focus was on rehabilitation, not punishment:

• Adult beggars were helped to find employment.
• Children involved in begging were enrolled in schools.

To encourage public participation, a reward of ₹1,000 is offered to anyone providing credible information about begging activities.

The campaign has gained recognition:

• It was acknowledged by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• A World Bank team has also appreciated the initiative.

Indore is one of 10 cities selected for a pilot project by the Union Ministry aimed at eliminating begging.

Other similar initiatives

• Bhopal district administration has also imposed a ban on begging, giving alms and purchasing any goods from beggars.
• A ban was imposed under Section 163 of the Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sahita (BNSS), 2023.

Legal Provisions Related to Beggary 

• The Constitution allows both the Union and State Governments to be the authority to legislate on vagrancy and destitution-related matters under the Concurrent List (List III, Entry 15).
• 9th entry of the State list in the Seventh Schedule – “Relief of the disabled and unemployable” has been described as the state subject, and can be used by states to take initiative for beggars.
• There’s no national law on begging however many states have enacted their own laws, most of them based on the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959.