NHRC issued guidelines to deal with begging, sought report from central and state governments in two months

The National Human Rights Commission has not only expressed severe concern over the situation of begging in the country but has also issued a guideline to the central and state governments in dealing with it, in which necessary steps have been recommended to improve the condition of people engaged in begging.

Apart from this, the commission has asked the central and state governments to implement it as soon as possible and also submit an implementation report on it in the next two months. The commission expressed concern regarding begging when the count of people engaged in this sector is increasing in the country. Whereas in 2011, according to the census, there were about four lakh people involved in begging in the country, at present, their number is estimated to have increased to about seven lakh.

It is this estimate of the increase in the number of people involved in begging in the country that has been made during the campaign launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to make cities accessible from begging.

Here, a survey was conducted in cities before starting the campaign. These days, this scheme is being run in about 30 cities, and the target of making them accessible from the beginning by 2026 has also been set, but due to the attitude of states towards it, achieving these targets becomes a big challenge.

The Secretary General of NHRC, Bharat Lal, has written a letter to the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and all states and union territories, urging them to expedite efforts to uplift the standard of living of people engaged in this begging.

It has also issued one guideline regarding this on behalf of the Commission, in which it has asked first to survey the people engaged in it. After that, necessary measures have been requested to be taken for their livelihood living, and health along with children's education. The Commission has asked the Central and State Governments to implement it immediately and also submit a report of its implementation within two months.

Guidelines issued to the Central and State Governments are to make identity cards for all people involved in begging. Their linking with all beneficial schemes like ration cards, Ayushman cards, and Jan-Dhan cards along with Aadhar card, is also advised. It has also been suggested to check their health regularly in the shelter home built for these beggars. Guidelines lay down that persons suffering from serious diseases be treated immediately. Nutritious food and clothes should be arranged for them. At the same time, they should also be given skill education so they can do other work except begging. They should also be provided houses under the housing scheme so that they can have a fixed place.