Beggars are a common sight at intersections like Jan Marg, Madhya Marg, Dakshin Marg among others, and even busy marketplaces, including Sector 17 Plaza, Sector 34, Sector 35, Sector 22 and Sector 9. No step has, however, been initiated by the authorities to check the menace or even book those who encourage begging.

Ironically, the UT Education department, on the instructions of Director Public Instructions (Schools) SK Setia, had recently launched a campaign to counsel child-beggars. “Our aim is not to get them arrested, but to make them understand the importance of education. Officials from Labour department have informed us that in case child beggars are arrested, they will be lodged in juvenile homes, which are already cramped,” Setia told Newsline.

Personnel at the busy interactions of the city remain a mute spectator to beggars, a large number of whom are children, who pounce on the moving cars for money.

“Who will be responsible if a child who is begging in the middle of the road at a traffic intersection gets run over by a car? The traffic police personnel, who should be keeping such beggars away from the roads, either turn their back towards the beggars or are busy gossiping,” said Amit Sharda, an IT professional.

“We have been telling drivers not to encourage beggars by giving money. We shall be intensifying the drive soon,” said a senior police officer.