Anand Ashram, a social intervention initiative for beggars, has taken in as many as 10,618 inmates.
On the ashram’s first anniversary, Director General of Prisons and Correctional Services V.K. Singh shared the figures with mediapersons that showed of a total of 10,618 inmates, who were admitted in Anand Ashram for men in Chanchalguda and Anand Ashram for women in Cherlapalli, 10,418 were either rehabilitated or migrated or settled with their families.
Mr. Singh said as much as ₹1.74 crore was spent to set up infrastructure at both ashrams. This included expenses for food and medicine, among others. Cots, mattresses and medical kits have also been provided to inmates.
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He said no beggars have been kept at the ashrams against their will, but they were counselled against begging and to return to their families. Inmates are undergoing regular health check-ups with doctors visiting the ashrams on referral. Inmates who have been suffering from mental health issues have been referred to the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) in Erragadda.
According to figures provided, as many as 500 inmates have been treated at Osmania General Hospital and 182 at the IMH. The ashrams have tied up with SETWIN, which is imparting skills to beggars.