Gujarat: Ahmedabad civic body plans 'beggary homes' for rehabilitation of homeless, vulnerable individuals
Ahmedabad, June 26
A coordinated initiative involving the Ahmedabad civic administration, police and the Union government has been set in motion to develop a structured rehabilitation framework aimed at making the city beggar-free under the Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise scheme.
A review meeting on the proposal was held on Friday under the chairmanship of Mona Khandhar, Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's Additional Secretary.
Senior officials including Ahmedabad Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani, representatives of the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Gandhinagar Municipal Corporation, along with officers from the Social Security and Police departments, participated in the discussions.
The initiative will be implemented under the Union government's SMILE scheme.
As part of the plan, "Beggary Homes" will be established in Ahmedabad to provide temporary shelter and structured support for individuals engaged in begging.
Each shelter home, with a capacity of around 50 persons, will receive a central grant of Rs 55 lakh.
These facilities are intended to function as rehabilitation centres offering healthcare services, skill development training, employment linkages and access to eligible welfare schemes for residents.
Officials also discussed broader coordination between the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, law enforcement and allied departments for rehabilitation measures, including family reunification for those separated from relatives, provision of care for elderly and persons with disabilities, and skill-based support for those capable of employment.
The discussions also covered measures related to temporary shelters and structured reintegration pathways under the scheme.
This week, a large-scale rehabilitation effort under Ahmedabad's ongoing "beggar-free city" initiative has seen hundreds of people rescued and shifted to temporary care facilities and across the last two years, according to official drive data.
During a three-day citywide operation conducted recently, around 244 individuals, including adults and children, were rescued from identified locations across the city and transferred for further care and rehabilitation as part of coordinated action by civic and police authorities.
Authorities said the individuals identified through such drives are placed under shelter-based care and linked to rehabilitation processes, including access to welfare schemes, education, skill training and family reunification wherever applicable.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally, a structured approach to tackle the issue! The SMILE scheme sounds promising, especially the family reunification part. Many of these individuals might have been separated from their loved ones due to circumstances. I'm glad they're including healthcare and skill training too. But will the shelters be in accessible areas or far from the city?
Interesting approach! In the US, we have similar programs for homeless rehabilitation, though often criticized for being underfunded. Rs 55 lakh for a 50-person shelter seems reasonable if managed properly. The key will be transparency in implementation and follow-up to ensure these individuals don't return to begging.
I appreciate the intent, but there's a deeper issue - many beggars are part of organized rings, especially with children. Cracking down on the traffickers is as important as rehabilitating the individuals. Also, let's not forget that some people beg out of sheer desperation due to lack of social security. Hope the scheme addresses root causes.
Good step, but I'm skeptical about implementation. We have seen similar schemes fail due to corruption - like shelters where funds disappear and basic amenities are missing. The AMC must ensure regular audits and involve NGOs for better oversight. Also, will there be any legal consequences for those who return to begging after rehabilitation?
Honestly, making a city 'beggar-free' sounds a bit harsh. These are human beings, not a nuisance to be removed. I hope the rehabilitation is compassionate and voluntary, not forceful. The focus on skill training and employment is good, but it needs to be long-term, not just temporary relief. Also,
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