THURSDAY, MAY 02, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: The deaths of three beggars in Margao, whose post mortem swab test confirmed COVID-19 has raised a worrisome situation as homeless individuals are also sighted in several other parts of Goa. The pandemic has also brought to the fore another situation wherein daily-wagers are now rendered helpless and homeless in absence of work.
With no shelter homes for such needy persons, the risk of the spread of the airborne disease has increase furthermore.
Around six years ago, the Institute of Public Assistance (Provedoria) had proposed setting up a Remand Home for the Beggars on the 30750 sq mts land at Chimbel, where two separate institutes for Alzheimer and psychiatric patients were also expected to come up. Sources stated that the proposal was under consideration and awaiting financial sanction; but there was no indication about its approval thereafter.
As per the proposal, the centre would have accommodated 100 beggars who will undergo various recreational activities, in a bid to desist them from going back into the begging racket again. GSUDA had been roped in for the project, which has however stalled. “A meeting with Chief Secretary was recently held,” said the source.
In the wake of deaths of three beggars due to COVID-19, ex-Chief Minister and Congress Margao MLA Digambar Kamat has been repeatedly urging the authorities to round up all homeless and beggars, and accommodate them in shelter homes.
The incident, last month, prompted Panjim Mayor Uday Madkaikar seeking their rehabilitation in a bid to prevent similar instances in the capital. However, with no reply to his initial request, Madkaikar told Herald that he will soon write a reminder letter to the Health Department and Municipal Administration to undertake testing of all the homeless and beggars for COVID-19 and subsequently shift tem to a rehabilitation centre.
Goa Police records indicate that 150-200 beggars are arrested every year, but in the absence of a dedicated remand-cum-shelter home, local courts release them after imposing a penalty.
In 2017, then CM (late) Manohar Parrikar had assured to make Goa beggar-free by building a rehab centre for the destitute.
