Following reports of a large number of inmates being sheltered at the Beggars' Rehabilitation Centre in the city were from other States, the State Government has decided to hold talks with other States to shift inmates to their respective States.
Minister for Minor Irrigation and Planning Govind M. Karjol, who was on Friday given the additional charge of Social Welfare, told presspersons after visiting the beggars' home on Magadi Road that the officials had been instructed to hold talks with their counterparts in other States to relocate the inmates.
Of the 2,400-odd inmates in the camp, more than 1,800 belonged to other States. There were 825 from Tamil Nadu, 625 from Andhra Pradesh, 125 each from Kerala and Uttar Pradesh, 62 each from Maharashtra and Rajasthan. The Government would hold talks with these States to send them to their respective States, he said.
Mr. Karjol and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa visited beggars' home and spent nearly two-and-a-hours listening to the grievances of the inmates at the camp on Magadi Road. Hundreds of inmates fled the camp on Friday and returned to begging in several areas. Mr. Karjol asked the authorities concerned to ensure that those who fled the relief camp on Friday were brought back.
He ordered the respective Deputy Commissioners to visit 13 such centres located in the State and ensure that such tragedies did not recur.
He said the warden of the Beggars Relief Centre, against whom there were many complaints, would be removed.
The Minister said three more doctors and 10 paramedical staff would be deployed soon to treat the inmates.
He ordered supply of Cauvery water to the centre for drinking, serving of good food and supply of three pairs of clothes to all inmates.
He directed the authorities to build 32 toilets and 16 bathrooms at the beggars' home and work on this would start soon.
