The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is exploring the possibilities of a scheme for persons engaged in the act of begging which would cover identification, rehabilitation, provision of medical facilities, counselling, education, skill development with the support of State Governments/UTs/Local Urban Bodies and Voluntary Organizations, institutions etc.

The Ministry has released an amount of Rs. 1 Crore in 2017-18, Rs. 50.00 lakh in 2018-19 and Rs.70 Lakh in 2019-20 to National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC) for skill development programmes for beggars. The main objective of the proposed Skill Development Training Programme is provision of vocational skills to members of beggars’ community to enable them to start income generating activities of their own or to get gainfully employed. The Corporation has so far conducted skill development training programme for 400 members of beggar’s community in Warehouse Packer, Hand-rolled Aggarbatti making, Hand Embroiderer and also sanctioned skill development training programme for 160 members of beggars’ community in Self-Employed Tailor, Coir Artisans and Asst. Carpenter job role.

In addition to above, this Ministry has also released an amount of Rs. 1 Crore to National Institute of Social Defence (NISD) for beggars.

This information was given by Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Rattan Lal Kataria in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

                                                                                                          

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NB/SK/jk/SJ&E-4/17-03-2020

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