Lok Sabha Question No. 2660 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-15
Subject: Begging Rackets
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: KRISHN PRATAP SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2660

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 15 TH  DECEMBER, 2015/ AGRAHAYANA 24, 1937 (SAKA)

BEGGING RACKETS

†2660. DR. KRISHAN PRATAP:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the number of drug addicts and incidents of begging especially by the children at the road crossings are on the rise in the NCT of Delhi;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
- (c)  whether  there  are  reports  that  several  gangs  involved  in  kidnapping innocent children, mutilating their bodies and forcing them into begging are active in the National Capital Region;
- (d) if so, the number of such cases brought to light, guilty persons arrested, gangs busted and the action taken against them during each of the last three years and the current year; and
- (e) the corrective measures 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) & (b): Delhi Police does not collect information regarding number of drug addicts and incidents of begging. However, the Government of NCT of Delhi has informed that during the year 2015 (upto September), 2960 persons were arrested  by the  Anti  begging  squads/teams out  of which 919 beggars  were committed  by the Beggars' Courts to beggar Home and 2041 beggars were released.

Delhi  Police  has  informed  that  the  details  of  cases  reported  and  persons arrested  under  the  Narcotic  Drugs  and  Psychotropic  Substances  Act,  1985 during the year 2012, 2013, 2014 & 2015 (upto 30.11.2015) are as under:

## LS.US.Q.NO.2660 FOR 15.12.2015

| Year        | Cases    | Cases     | Persons   | Persons   |
|-------------|----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
|             | Reported | Challaned | Arrested  | Challaned |
| 2012        | 829      | 811       | 986       | 948       |
| 2013        | 442      | 408       | 553       | 524       |
| 2014        | 322      | 271       | 404       | 335       |
| 2015(upto   | 262      | 96        | 336       | 106       |
| 30.11.2015) |          |           |           |           |

(c) & (d): No such case has been reported to Delhi   Police during the years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 (upto 30.11.2015). However, as regards other parts of National Capital Region,   information is being collected.

(e):  The  steps  taken  by  Delhi  Police  and  Government  of  NCT  of  Delhi  to control and prevent the crime of drug addiction & drug peddling etc. are as under:-

1. Effective  surveillance  is  being  maintained  over  activities  of  drug addicts and criminals involved in drug trafficking etc.
2. 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.
3. Integrated Police checking is being done to check movement of such people.
4. Beat and division officers in the field have been sensitized and briefed to keep a sharp vigil in the area.
5. Stringent  legal  action  under  appropriate  sections  of  law  is  taken against persons found involved in drug trafficking/drug addiction etc.
6. A  component  of  Delhi  Police  force  has  been  attached  to  the  Social Welfare  Department  of  GNCTD  and  adequate  assistance  is  provided as  and  when  they  request  for  such  assistance  for  launching  antibegging  operations.    The  Delhi  Police  have  also  appointed  Nodal Officers (ACsP) in all Districts for maintaining liaison with the Social Welfare Department in this regard.
7. Govt. of NCT of Delhi has set up 14 Child Care Institutions for children in  need  of  care  and  protection.  The  child  beggars  come  under  the category  of  the  children  in  need  of  care  and  protection  as  defined under  section  2  (d)  of  Juvenile  Justice  (Care  and  Protection  of Children) Act, 2000. The Children are housed as per their age and sex in  different  Child  Care  Institutions  where  they  are  provided  with  all basic  facilities  including  boarding,  lodging,  food,  education  (basic education / non formal education), mental  and physical health services and recreation facilities both outdoor and indoor.

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