The Beggars’ Rehabilitation Centre (BRC) of the Department of Social Welfare, Mysuru division, on Thursday cleared several beggars from Mandya roads, ahead of the visit of All-India Congress Committee (AICC) vice-president Rahul Gandhi to Mandya.
Mr. Gandhi is visiting Mandya district on Friday to meet a few families of farmers, who had committed suicide owing to financial distress and crop loss.The BRC personnel conducted a special drive in different areas of Mandya for the purpose.
“We have taken away 17 beggars from outside Raghavendra Swamy Mutt and other places,” an employee, who participated in the drive, said.
Following complaints from residents, the BRC nabbed several beggars under the Karnataka Prohibition of Beggary Act, 1975, he said.Meanwhile, C.B. Gokak, Superintendent of BRC, said that the drive wasn’t linked to Mr. Gandhi’s visit. The BRC conducts such drives at regular intervals, Mr. Gokak told The Hindu. The BRC will provide training and employment opportunities to them after a counselling programme, he said.
