Begging for attention

The UT police were able to nab just a handful of the beggars in this year,while it is no secret that various junctions in the city are replete with beggars. As many as 27 cases of beggary were reported till December 16 this year,and interestingly 13 of them were registered with the Sector -19 police station alone. Also,almost half the cases were registered in November and December,while the other half were reported in July and August. Of the 37 persons arrested in the cases,11 were convicted and sent to either Nari Niketan,Juvenile Home or Old Age Home as per the gender and age of the beggars.

However,places like Manimajra,Sectors 10,11,15,17,22,35,the transport traffic signal,where the begging acts are mostly seen,hardly found any mention as far as begging reports are concerned. “Begging has certainly become a nuisance on the traffic signals and some bus stops like Manimajra. And I have seen that it is the people who are to blame as they encourage beggars by offering them alms,” a Manimajra resident said.

A commuter pointed out that beggars slow down the pace of moving vehicles near the light points as they carelessly run around on the road at the traffic signals.

Fast becoming a blot on the face the city beautiful,beggary is an offence under the Haryana Prevention of Beggary Act,1971 which is applicable in the city. The begging offence,if convicted,entails detainment in a certified institution for not less than one year and not over two years.