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Hindustan Times
15-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Places of worship, not traffic signals, hot spots for beggars in Lucknow: Survey
LUCKNOW Contrary to perception, only a small percentage of beggars (2%) relies on traffic signals for their income. Temples and mosques are the primary locations where they receive alms, along with food and clothes, reveals a social organization's survey. According to the report, 2,411 people were found to be engaged in begging at 101 locations in eight zones of Lucknow. (File Photo) As many as 30% of the beggars target temples and mosques while a mere 2% use traffic signals, 1% use bus stops and 23% use all three places for seeking alms. Three per cent use both traffic signals and bus stops, 15% use traffic signals and temples/mosques, 25% use both bus stops and temples/mosques and around 3% do not have any fixed place for begging. They largely get cash in alms but also get ready-to-eat items, fruits, sweets, clothes, etc, on different occasions, as per the report by social organisation 'Badlav' that was handed over to minister of state for social welfare Asim Arun on Sunday. 'Religious places are hot spots for beggars as people go there with a sense of devotion and donation in the name of is why it becomes easier for beggars to get alms. We will raise the issue with the district administration and request them for anti-beggary drives outside religious places as well,' said Sharad Patel, director of 'Badlav'. The minister wrote on his X account: 'Yogiji is emphasizing on Zero Poverty Campaign and NGOs can be of great help in this. Today, I attended the presentation programme of the survey report (2024-25) based on 'Status of people involved in begging in Lucknow: Neglect and Inclusion' by NGO Badlaav in Lucknow. Such grassroots level surveys reveal the ground reality and help the government in policy making.' The objective of the study was to ascertain the number of people engaged in begging and understand the socio-economic status of these people. According to the report, 2,411 people were found to be engaged in begging at 101 locations in eight zones of Lucknow. As many as 97% of people engaged in begging are from 44 districts of UP, out of which the majority are from Lucknow and four neighbouring districts, including Barabanki, Hardoi, Sitapur and Unnao. The report also suggests that 3% among these people are widows, 3% are physically challenged and 11% senior citizens. Among the identified three categories of vulnerable people, 13% are receiving widow pensions, 40% are receiving disability pensions and 5% are receiving old-age pensions. As per the survey findings, one or more family members of 64% are engaged in the act of begging, whereas 36% are the only people who are in the act of begging in their family. All members of 22% of people, mothers of 41% of people and both parents of 20% of people are engaged in the act of begging. Shelter is a big issue for people engaged in begging, where around 38% of people have to spend their nights on the footway, 52% have small huts, 2% have kuccha houses, 5% live in pucca houses, 3% reside in rental spaces, suggests the report. District social welfare officer (Lucknow) Anjani Singh said the department will take note of the findings of the report and strategise accordingly. 'We are yet to receive a detailed report about the findings. Once we study the report, we will ensure that people involved in begging get benefits of government schemes and are brought into the mainstream of society. We will also ensure that kids engaged in begging get enrolled in schools,' emphasised. The survey report also revealed that the income of people engaged in begging is largely dependent on festivals and weather, where during extreme summer, winter and rainy seasons, they have to struggle to meet their daily needs. The daily income of 18% of these is below ₹50 per day, 32% is between ₹51 to ₹100 per day, 35% is between ₹101 and ₹200, 12% is between ₹201 and ₹300, whereas 2% of people earn more than ₹301 per day, claims the report. Around 33% of these people do not have any identity proof, 64% have an Aadhaar card, 30% have a ration card, 3% have a driving licence as well, and 1% have all three documents. At the same time, among people having ration cards, 80% are receiving rations for their families, it added. The majority (75%) of people do not have a bank account, which makes them vulnerable, as they cannot even save their earned income in a bank, which may provide safety during a crisis, suggested the report. District Magistrate Vishak G said a drive will be conducted outside religious places, not just to curb beggary, but also to provide support and rehabilitation to destitute people and those who don't have any support system. 'Organised child beggary is mainly done at intersections and busy streets, while at religious places there are many old people also who don't have any support system and are rescued by social organisations,' he said. 'Earlier in the anti-beggary drive, we covered intersections primarily because we found child beggars there. In the second phase, we will cover other places including religious sites with the help of social organisations. More than 100 people were rescued in the past from such sites with the help of social organisation 'Apna Ghar Ashram'. We will be calling them again and places of worship, along with hospitals, will be covered. People who need help genuinely, will be rehabilitated. Also, kids involved in begging will be enrolled in schools,' added the DM.
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Row as AAP Delhi spokesperson named Punjab Pollution Control Board chief
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab on Monday appointed the party's Delhi spokesperson, Reena Gupta, as chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), triggering a row with opposition parties slamming the move to name a non-Punjabi for the top post. Apart from Gupta, the Punjab government on Monday appointed 31 people, mostly from the AAP, as chairmen, directors, and members in various government boards and corporations of the state. Gupta will be the first women chairperson of PPCB and 27th overall since the formation of the board. According to sources privy to the developments, Gupta was the only candidate from Delhi for the post of PPCB chairperson. 'The remaining 27 were mostly from Punjab, including top engineers and two former IAS officers,' the official said, pleading anonymity. Chief secretary KAP Sinha-led selection panel on Friday had shortlisted the incumbent PPCB chairperson Adarsh Pal Vig and Thapar University professor Amit Dhir, apart from Reena Gupta for the post. However, chief minister Bhagwant Mann selected the name of Reena Gupta and her appointment was notified on Monday, the official added. Established in 1975, the PPCB is a nodal agency in matters related to enforcing environmental regulations and managing pollution in Punjab. It is also the nodal figure during farm fires and one of the vital agencies which formulates policies to tackle stubble burning. As per Gupta's online profile, she has served as an adviser to the government of Delhi during the AAP government and also has experience working with the World Bank. She was also the AAP spokesperson in Delhi. 'Reena has worked extensively for the party and advised the Delhi government during the AAP regime on the issues of environment, education and other fields. She has vast knowledge on the issue of environment, and her selection is on merit', said an AAP leader who didn't wish to be named. Another non-Punjabi, Deepak Chauhan, has been made chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board. The opposition parties have slammed the move. Leader of Opposition and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa said two non-Punjabis have been made chairperson of important bodies. 'Deepak Chauhan, ex-PA to backroom boss Sandeep Pathak, hailing from UP, is now chairman of Punjab's Large Industrial Development Board. He has no industrial experience. Meanwhile, Reena Gupta — another non-Punjabi & Former Delhi SEIAA member — is now chairperson of Punjab Pollution Control Board. 'Nepotism? No no… it's called Badlav. ', he said on X. SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said that CM Mann has surrendered two of the top posts in the state to outsiders. 'Now he (CM Mann) has surrendered two key posts - Chairperson of the Punjab Pollution Control Board & Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board to acolytes of Kejriwal,' Sukhbir said on X. 'Never before in the history of the state have outsiders been handed over all important posts,' Badal added on X.
