Sir,
This has reference to the Editorial’Eradication of Beggary'( DE, March 9, 2013 ). Beggary is,indeed,a serious problem which has assumed alarming proportions in our state over the past few years.It is a common experience to be confronted by beggars everywhere-at the bus stops, railway stations, on the footpaths, outside the temples and other religious places.The beggars appear from nowhere and harrass the people with volley of entreaties and blessings in the hope of getting money.Surprisingly, most of the beggars are healthy and able bodied and they have taken to begging for they find it an easier and more convenient source of income than doing physical labour.Moreover, they have no fear of the provisions of the Prevention of Beggary Act, 1960 and Prevention of Beggary rules as these provisions are hardly implemented in letter and spirit and the beggars continue to beg under the very nose of the law enforcement agencies.
The menace of begging is a serious challange.It encourages idleness, produces parasites and wastes a sizeable amount of human labour. Some of the beggars are lepers or suffering from other contagious diseases which can spread to healthy people and thus pose a serious health hazard. The beggars also use young kids and new born babies as effeceive tools for begging and thus prevent them from attending schools to receive education. Beggars don’t even spare the foreigners visiting our state and no doubt, they may think of our state as a land of beggars.
It is heartening to read that the Division Bench of the High Court of J &K has asked the DGP to prepare a complete list of beggars and submit the same to the court for further action.It is, therefore, the duty of the government to strictly enforce the provisions of the law to eradicate this evil.
Yours etc…….
Ashok Sharma,
Flat No 4, Housing Colony, Udhampur
Follow our WhatsApp channel