Lok Sabha Question No. 289 (STARRED), answered on 2018-08-07
Subject: Rehabilitation of Beggars
Ministry: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
Asked by: HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT, JAY PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. *289 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2018

## REHABILITATION OF BEGGARS

*289. DR. HEENA VIJAYKUMAR GAVIT: SHRI JAI PRAKASH NARAYAN YADAV:

## Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any data on the number of physically disabled and addicted beggars in the country and if so, the details thereof, as on date; fit, drug
- (b) whether the Government has initiated any action to ascertain the reasons for the increasing number of women and child beggars in the country and check this tendency and if so, the details thereof;
- whether the Government has formulated any policy to physically into the bring
- d) whether the Government is planning to all the beggars under the ambit of various policies including financial inclusion, if so, the details thereof and ifnot; the reasons therefor; and bring
- (e) the steps taken by the Government to eradicate the practice of beggary and for rehabilitation of beggars and creation of employment opportunities for them in the country? being

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

(SHRI THAAWARCHAND GEHLOT)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## DrHeena

- (a) The Office of Registrar General of India has informed that aS per Census 2011, the total number of Beggars, Vagrants etc  in India are 4,13,670 out of which disable beggars, vagrants are 70,506. There is no data regarding drug addicted beggars.
- (b) As per information received from Registrar General of India (RGI), the population of Beggars, Vagrants etc. in the age group of 0-14 year (Non-workers) was 107583 during census 2001 whereas it has declined to 41285 during census 2011. Further; the population of Beggars, Vagrants etc. in the age group of 5-14 years (Marginal Workers) was 5211 during Census 2001 whereas it has declined to 4011 during Census 2011. The total number of Female Beggars, Vagrants etc. below age of 15 years as per Census 2001 was 50921 and according to Census 2011 it is 19175. As per Census 2001 the total number of Female Beggars, Vagrants etc. were 334768 and according to 2011 Census it is 191997.
- (c) to (e) The Ministry implemented a Central  Sector Scheme for the Prevention of Beggary 1992-93 to 1997-98, under which financial assistance was provided for establishment of work centres in the   existing   beggar homes for   providing vocational   training   and technical education to beggars However; due to moderate demand from the State Governments/UTs, the Scheme was discontinued from the year 1998-99\_ This Ministry has released an amount of Rs. One crore to National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) for the skill development programmes for beggars the   year  2017-18 on basis. According to NBCFDC, an MOU has been   signed with NGOsNVOs for mobilizing & handholding 400 members of the beggar's communities in five districts of Ghaziabad, Rampur; Moradabad, Madhepura and Kolkata for providing skill training programme through Government Training Institutes and Sector Skill Councils in Handicraft, Logistics, Apparel & Furniture trades. during during pilot

The Ministry of Women that are   implementing a centrally sponsored Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) (now "Child Protection Services") for children in need of care and protection (CNCP): CNCP are defined under section 2(14) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act; 2015 (JJ Act) respectively. As per Section 2(14)(ii) of JJ Act; a child who is found working in contravention of labour laws for the time being in force or is found begging; or living on the street is included as a "child in need of care and protection' The primary responsibility in execution of the JJ Act lies with the State Governments/UTs. Under ICPS, financial assistance   is   provided to the State Governments/UT Administrations inter-alia,  undertaking a situational analysis of children in difficult circumstances, for setting up and maintenance of various types of Child Care Institutions (CCIs). The scheme   provides institutional care through CCIs. As a rehabilitative measures in these CCIs, children are provided age appropriate education either within the institution Or outside in a formal education system through convergence with other schemes and programs of the Government or Civil Society. The Scheme also provides for family based non-institutional care through adoption; sponsorship and foster-care. they for,

As per information available; as many as 20 States and 2 UTs have either enacted their own Anti Beggary Legislation or adopted the legislation enacted by other States. Most of these Acts have provision for training of beggars.