MENACE CALLED BEGGING MAFIA

By Dr.Tasaduk Hussain Itoo

Begging mafia is taking an ugly head in the society nowadays. It is posing a concerning threat to the socio-economic, political and cultural diversity of the society.It is a menace of destitute, disgrace, disappointment and disheartening that is well-organized institution controlled mafia.Rich becomes richer and poor becomes poorer in this organised mafia. It was not much prevalent in Jammu & Kashmir state before,but now we could witness its wave in streets,markets,plazas, festivals, bus stops etc.Though the laws governing its abolition are on-paper like J & K Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960 but their implementation in practical is put on halt.To combat this menace government authorities, civil-society and other bodies should put their efforts in place to end this social menace.This article puts much emphasis on the ways as how to eradicate this challenging menace from the society.
1. Poverty Eradication
Priority should be given to eradication of extreme poverty and subsequent action taken for rehabilitation of the beggars is commendable. The steps should be extended to other parts of the state. This will help solve the problem of beggars migrating from one district to another. Any price would be worth it, if the measures could be implemented successfully.
2. Create awareness
Banning of begging is a positive step and will help counter the menace of beggars in the city. Many people consider begging as a source to obtain money without doing any work. Steps should be initiated to rehabilitate the beggars. Small shelters have to be made and they need to be imparted skills that would help them land jobs. They should be made to earn their livelihood by working and not begging. The physically handicapped beggars should be taken care of. Awareness sessions should be conducted. Strict rules should be enforced to prevent begging. The Government and charitable organisations should look after people who are aged and physically challenged.
3. End the menace
Though many people take to begging owing to poverty, it has become a menace. Of late, begging has become part of an organised crime.Regarding Jammu & Kashmir majority of the beggars are from other States of india like Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Andrah Pradesh.The poor from these States are attracted by the comparative richness of Jammu & Kashmir and undertake this as relatively easy way of living.Most of beggars have encroached the main core cities of the state-Jammu and Srinagar.It has been reported that many come in the morning train and get back to their villages by evening train like people in any other job. There have also been reports about the beggars living in rented lodges. The rising burglaries in the State have also been attributed to their increased numbers.Other local authorities should follow suit to end the menace. Regarding rehabilitation, the State needs to support only those who hail from J & K. Beggars hailing from neighbouring States should be sent back to their native places. This will minimise the financial impact on the State’s exchequer.
4. Laudable move
The step should be taken by the State Government to ensure a beggar-free state. It should be lauded by other authorities. Most of the beggars in J & K are part of the begging rackets operating in the State. But they will settle down in the neighbouring districts. So, begging should be banned in other districts as well. The Government should rehabilitate the aged, the ill and physically challenged among the beggars. Non-governmental organisations involved with charity works should step in. A Government-funded organisation should be constituted and personnel trained to oversee the rehabilitation programme. Beggars who are willing to work should be trained according to their ability, health and talent. The ill should be given medical care, food and other amenities. Necessary steps should be taken by the Government to collect contributions from donors by allowing tax rebate.
5. Set up squads
The ban implemented in one district should be extended to other districts of the State. The authorities may not find it possible to rehabilitate all the beggars, but they should ensure that the children who are forced into begging are taken care of. Begging mafia who abduct children to force them into begging should be punished. The Government should send the children back to their parents. The police should step up vigil and help rehabilitate them.Those who claim to be physically challenged and show fake injuries to earn alms should be sent back to their native places. The Government and charitable institutions should come forward and help rehabilitate the destitute and aged beggars. The Government should set up a squad to round up the beggars.
6. Vocational training
Many people fake disabilities to secure sympathy. Racketeers force children to beg. The ban on begging will help curb the trend of forcing children into this trade. The Government should provide necessary vocational training to rehabilitate them. The expenses incurred should be borne by the Government. Beggars and street-children from other States are part of the mafia network. The groups wander around the city seeking alms. Social issues associated with begging are drug trafficking, criminal activities and sexual exploitation of children. To reduce the economic burden, the Government should seek the aid of voluntary organisations. However, the activities of the voluntary organisations should be monitored and evaluated. There should be an implementing authority at the local-level. The rehabilitated people should be given vocational training that will enable them to find sustainable means of livelihood. This will not only improve their self-esteem but also prevent them from begging.
7. Create a trust
Giving alms should be considered an offence. Panchayats, municipalities and corporations should make a concerted effort in enforcing the ban. Round up the beggars and create a trust by setting apart contributions from the public. Rehabilitation programmes and vocational training skills should be imparted.
8. Provide jobs
The ban should be extended to other major towns for the mafia, which controls this nefarious activity, will attempt to spread its operations. If J & K is made a beggar-free State, it will attract more tourists, as unruly beggars will not harass them. However, rehabilitating the beggars will be a challenge. Job opportunities for employment should also be created.
9. Aid agency needed
The civic bodies should undertake a study. A special aid agency should be set up to cater to the needs of the beggars and monitor the conditions prevailing after the ban is imposed. It should chalk out plans for rehabilitation and feasible means of earning a livelihood. The rehabilitated should be provided free medical diagnosis by the Government for a stipulated period. It should also implement a friendly scheme for providing financial support and ration to the beggars. Slums may come up in cities and rehabilitation should be carried out in a judicious manner. Most such people are illiterate and should be educated about the hazards of falling prey to anti-social elements. Beggars should be banned only in those cities wherein the corporation has enough reserves to provide free and quality habitation, civic amenities, financial aid and medical facilities.
10. DiscourageBeggars
Begging should be banned in all cities across the state.People should not give money to beggars. Most beggars are lazy and refuse to work to earn a livelihood. When people give money to them, why should they bother to work? The Government should ensure that there are enough jobs for rehabilitated beggars. Steps should be taken to enforce the ban. People should discourage beggars. Begging flourishes because people tend to be generous. Awareness programmes need to be conducted for the poor to help them realise how shameful it is to beg. Cottage industries and cooperative societies should be opened to provide jobs to such people. Society should work together to ban begging. In many countries such as Iran, policemen are assigned to find out if the beggars are poor. However, they often discover that the beggars have several houses and cars. Those who indulge in fraudulence are exposed on television. We should also begin similar awareness campaigns.
11. Welcome decision
Any step to ban, dissuade or discourage begging should be welcome. The district administration in Srinagar weeks before put begging into notice and banned it. We welcome the decision. And we wish same banning notice should extend to other districts of Jammu & Kashmir as well. When doing so, the authorities concerned should try to rehabilitate beggars. Educational programmes to highlight ill-effects of begging should be conducted. The people should be made to recognise the importance of self-respect and the efficacy of will power. Let us mould a better social system.
CONCLUSION
The begging mafia is emerging more as a business for well-policy based organised groups than as beneficial for beggars.Strict steps should be taken to identify the guilty and punish them under strict laws. Both the Civil administration and civil society should take a serious note and put necessary steps in place to end this social menace.
(The writer is a physician at Acharya Shri Chander College of Medical Sciences & Hospital, Sidhra Jammu /Activist/Educator at Unacademy.)