Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam talks about the Delhi government’s plans to reduce begging and a new law to tackle organised begging
What do you think will be the impact of decriminalising begging? And what is the Delhi government planning on doing about it?
Begging will increase. We have to recognise that there are two types of begging – one is when people are forced by circumstances to beg in order to feed themselves and their families, and the other is the organised rackets that push people, particularly children, into begging. Those left with no option but to beg should be rehabilitated and we are working on it. For the second kind, I have asked the Department to work on a law that will fill the gaps. The Indian Penal Code covers many aspects, but some aspects of were covered by the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act.
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What is your government’s overall plan to reduce begging?
Being the Capital, people come to Delhi from all over the country in the hopes of improving their lives. Many of them do not have a place to stay or food to eat. No matter what we do, we cannot stop that till the other State governments and the Centre also do their part. Residents of other States would not be forced to leave their homes and come to Delhi — and end up begging — if their States had given them opportunities of livelihood, education and healthcare. We are working on rehabilitation and training programmes, but the situation in other States should also improve so people are not forced to beg when they leave and come to Delhi.