Lok Sabha Question No. 2427 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-08-04
Subject: Beggar Problem
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KAUSHAL KISHORE

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2427

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 04 TH AUGUST, 2015/ SHRAVANA13, 1937 (Saka)

**BEGGAR PROBLEM**

†2427. 	SHRI KAUSHAL KISHORE:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether there have been an increase in the number of smack addicts, beggars and their small children and transgenders demanding money at the crossroads in the metropolitan cities including NCT of Delhi;

(b) if so, the details and the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) the reasons for increasing number of such beggars despite having a law enforce to check it; and

(d) the corrective steps taken by the Government to check such cases in future?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

(SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) to (d): In so far as NCT of Delhi is concerned, there is no statistical data to indicate the rise of the number of beggars in Delhi during the last two years and it is a fact that the beggars are found on traffic red lights and other accident prone areas in Delhi. It is difficult to assess the exact no. of beggars at any given time in Delhi as beggar population is floating and key keep migrating in and out of Delhi. In so far as other metropolitan cities are concerned, the issue falls under the jurisdiction of respective State Government and such data is not compiled centrally in the Ministry.

The corrective steps taken by Government to check such cases are as under:-

1. Effective surveillance is being maintained over the activities of drug addicts and criminals involved in drug trafficking etc.

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LS.US.Q.NO. 2427. For 04.08.2015

1. Public cooperation is elicited through Eyes & Ears scheme to gather information about such activities and persons suspected to be involved in drug trafficking/addiction/consumption .
2. Stringent legal action under appropriate sections of law is taken against persons found involved in drug trafficking/drug addiction etc. integrated Police checking is being done to check movement of such people.
3. Delhi Police also take suo-mot action by conducting periodic special drives against beggars.
4. There is one Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) in each district and one in Crime Branch. If a missing child is not recovered within 4 months, the case is transferred to AHTU of District for specialized investigation. Wherever, it is felt that there might be an involvement of an organized gang, the case is taken up by Crime Branch for investigation. The cases with international linkages are transferred to AHTU in CBI.
5. A scheme PEHCHAAN was launched by Delhi Police in Which a photograph of the family with all children is taken and a copy of the photograph will remain available which can be used for tracing missing children. This scheme is being used in areas where maximum children are reported  missing.
6. The Anti-Begging squads take action against the persons found begging as per the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959
7. One full fledged court (Reception Cum classification Centre) Kingsway Camp Delhi, and two mobile Courts are working under the above said Act.

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