Giving money to beggars is now a crime in this Indian city, FIRs to be lodged

No more generosity, please! Helping the beggars may be seen as an act of kindness but at the same time, it is encouraging crime as anti-social elements are forcing children and women to beg on the streets. To put an end to such crime, India's cleanest city Indore has now declared 'giving money to beggars' a crime.

As Indore aspires to be beggar-free and wants its streets free of beggars, such a step has been taken under which the district administration will lodge FIRs against those who give money to beggars, effective from January 1.

"Our awareness campaign against begging will continue till the end of this month. If any person is found giving alms from January 1, an FIR will also be registered against him/her," said District Collector Ashish Singh.

Singh also appealed to all Indore residents 'not to become partners in the sin' by giving money to beggars.

On December 12, Madhya Pradesh’s Women and Child Development Department claimed to have rescued a woman beggar near a temple in Indore with cash amount more than Rs 75, 000. 

The administration claimed that the woman confessed to earning the money within one month from begging in the area.

It is worth mentioning that the Indore district administration has deployed a dedicated team that looks after the issue along with the other departments to introduce a grassroots campaign for this purpose.

Besides, the district administration has been ensuring that the rescued child labourers cum beggars are being given proper counselling followed by education and training so that they are properly rehabilitated and do not go back on the streets.