SC notice to Centre, Delhi Govt for poor state of beggar homes

SC notice to Centre, Delhi Govt for poor state of beggar homes
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

NEW DELHI, MARCH 31: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notices to the Centre, Delhi Government and city Police Commissioner on a petition highlighting the appalling state of beggar homes operating without basic amenities.

A division bench comprising Justice S P Bharucha and Justice S V Patil issued notices on the public interest litigation filed by a law student, Karnika Sawhney.The PIL pointed out that thousands of beggars were lodged at these centres without proper facilities.

Counsel for the petitioner Indira Sawhney pointed out that though the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 was extended to Delhi in 1961 after framing of relevant rules, the beggars were lodged at these homes without bare necessities like proper food, shelter and medicare.

The petitioner, who conducted a survey at these beggar homes, requested the Court to direct the respondents to arrange for visits by committees to these centres and ensure proper and clean shelter, food and clothing.

She said the authorities should take steps to provide vocational training to the inmates with provision for minimum allowances for work done by them during the course of the training and work shops.

It also said the Government should carry out media campaign to discourage begging as every year more and more beggars were being admitted to these centres.