Hiding Poverty: Begging is banned in Nagpur ahead of G20

The city of Nagpur has issued a ban on begging ahead of the G20 summit, with police chief Amitesh Kumar issuing a notification under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation has passed an order to ban begging in the city ahead of the G20 summit, which is scheduled to be held in India. The order states that begging will be punishable with imprisonment for up to six months.

This prohibits individuals or groups from begging or forcing passersby to part with money at traffic junctions or other public places.

The ban has been put in place to ensure the city looks clean and presentable for the G20 summit, and anyone found in violation of the rule could face legal repercussions, including a fine and up to six months in jail.

The municipal corporation will work to relocate beggars to beggars' homes, shelters, or other locations with the aid of NGOs.

Kumar stated that the presence of beggars on the streets brings a bad name to the city, and their activities impede both the free flow of traffic and pedestrian movement.

Beggars had become a nuisance for motorists, and pedestrians were also harassed by the individuals seeking alms who would occupy traffic islands, road dividers, and footpaths.

The police and Nagpur Municipal Corporation have been planning the drive for the last week, and anyone found begging on the streets who asks for assistance in leaving the city will be given help in returning to their home.

The CP stated that the police and NMC had been discussing the drive for the last week, and that the presence of beggars on the streets is detrimental to the city's image as it is being beautified in preparation for the G20 summit.

Begging in India

Begging is a prevalent social issue in India. Despite being illegal, it is not uncommon to see beggars on the streets of Indian cities and towns. Beggars are often found at traffic signals, religious places, and public places like railway stations, bus stands, and marketplaces. They usually ask for money, food, or other necessities.

Beggars in India are often from marginalized sections of society, such as the disability, older people, and those from lower castes.

They may have little or no access to education or job opportunities, which forces them into begging to make a living. Many beggars are also trafficked, and some are forced to beg by organized criminal groups.

In recent years, the Indian government has taken steps to address the issue of begging. Several states have implemented anti-begging laws that criminalize begging, and many beggars have been arrested and sent to beggars' homes or rehabilitation centers.

However, these measures have been criticized by some human rights organizations, which argue that they violate the rights of the low-income and marginalized.

NGOs and charitable organizations are also working to provide support and rehabilitation services to beggars, including education, vocational training, and healthcare.

These efforts aim to address the root causes of begging and provide a path for beggars to become self-sufficient and reintegrate into society.

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