Do the disappearing act after they get wind of anti-beggary drive
The Central Relief Committee (CRC) and the Social Welfare Department began their month-long drive to make Bangalore beggar-free from February 22. So far, the CRC has successfully sent 745 beggars to rehabilitation centre (Beggars Colony) on Magadi road. However, the 1,000 beggars, who reportedly got wind of the CRC's initiative, have disappeared without a trace.
The figures
Out of the 745 that have been caught, 524 are men and 221 are women. Relatives and friends of 64 male and 59 female beggars have approached Taluk magistrate to get release orders and take them home.
During the drive, on an average the Committee has been successful in bringing around 50 to 60 beggars to the rehabilitation centre per day. One some days, the number crosses 100.
Public message
The president of CRC Manje Gowda said, "The beggars should not be encouraged by the public by giving alms to them as this will make them more lazy. People should know that they are paying 3 per cent cess towards the welfare of beggars by way of Beggary Cess collected by the civic authorities that operate according to the stipulation of the Central Relief Committee rules for prohibition of Beggary Act 1975."
The CRC gets around Rs 50 lakh per month by way of cess collected from the public. Gowda informed, "Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa and Social Welfare Minister D Sudhakar wanted to make the city beggar free as they have become a menace. In our rehabilitation centre there were already 1000 beggars. After the drive we brought another 750."
Govt assistance
According to the committee, 30 to 40 per cent of the beggars brought to the centre are mentally imbalanced who are treated by doctors of NIMHANS. The centre also has gynaecologists to take care of women.
"We have requested the government to provide 10 acres of land at Hassan, 10 km away from the city to set up a new centre that can cover Belur, Halebeedu and Shravanabelagola.
Also, we have requested the government to provide three more vehicles to operate in Mysore, Chitradurga and Shimoga. The Committee is spending around Rs 8 to 10 lakh every month on beggars, to provide them food and shelter," added Gowda.
| Rehab Centres |
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There are 14 rehabilitation centres for beggars in Karnataka located in Bangalore, Belgaum, Bellary, Bijapur, Kolar, Chitradurga, Davanagere, Dharwad, Mysore, Mangalore, Raichur and Shimoga.
Citizens can alert the administration if they see any beggars in the city by calling on the following numbers: 81018004251580 ((Toll free))and 23434643 and 23486626 |
524
Number of male beggars in Bangalore
221
Number of female beggars in the city | 
