Departments team up to make Chandigarh beggar-free

The UT Administration has launched an eight-day awareness campaign aimed at eliminating beggary from the city and promoting a more compassionate way to supporting those in need. The drive was inaugurated by UT Adviser Rajiv Verma at the UT Secretariat here on Monday.

Various departments are actively participating in this drive. The police, in collaboration with the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit and the Union Territory Child Protection Unit, will conduct rescue operations, while the Excise Department will increase vigilance in markets to curb begging on the streets and exploitation.

The Department of School Education will hold programmes to educate children on the social implications of beggary. Additionally, NSS volunteers will engage the public through flash mobs to spread awareness and discourage giving alms.

Citizens are encouraged to contribute by donating winter essentials such as socks, gloves, shoes, mufflers, scarves and school supplies at the designated “Neki ki Deewar” locations at Nari Niketan in Sector 26, Old Age Home in Sector 15 and 43, and Snehalaya in Sector 39.

The Adviser urged the UT residents not to give alms to beggars and not to buy things from children on roads, traffic signals and roundabouts so as to curb the menace of begging, child trafficking and child labour. He said the donations made at the designated “Neki Ki Deewar” locations would bring happiness in the lives of needy women, children and senior citizens.

Verma said such acts of benevolence might be captured on cameras and selfies be posted on social media, tagging the Social Welfare Department, UT, with the hashtag “beggar-free Chandigarh”. “Let us all come forward to make the City Beautiful beggar-free,” he added.

The campaign has been initiated by the Department of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development. Anuradha Chagti, Secretary, Social Welfare, Ajay Chagti, Secretary, Health, and Prerna Puri, Secretary, Education, were present.