The Odisha government has identified 5,284 beggars in the state, informed Nityananda Gond, Minister of ST & SC Development, Minorities & Backward Classes Welfare in the Assembly on Friday.
Shri Gond said the Government is actively working towards becoming “beggar-free” through various initiatives under the ‘Sahaya’ scheme. There are also plans for the Bhikshuk Punarvas Kendra and other logistics for rehabilitation centres for mainstream beggars and to provide socio-economic upliftment for their children.
As per the survey-based data furnished by the Minister, there are currently 5,284 beggars in the State with highest numbers in Cuttack (1060), followed by Bargarh (595), Ganjam (545), Balangir (482), Sundargarh (417) and Puri (350) with Balasore, Boudh, Deogarh, Jagatsinghpur, Jajpur having zero beggars.
“Various steps have been taken under the ‘Sahaya’ ‘ scheme to provide socio-economic support to beggars, including scholarships, skill development training, and inclusion in self-help groups. The umbrella scheme aims at the protection, care and rehabilitation of beggars and destitute to be operated in a mission mode with manifold objectives. In the first phase, special drives named Niladri Nilaya and Ekamra Nilaya have been launched in Puri and Bhubaneswar towns, respectively, along with Mahanagar Nigam in Angul, Dhenkanal and Rourkela,” the Minister stated.
