Team Herald
MARGAO: The menace of beggars and vagrants is spreading across South Goa, with the authorities turning a blind eye to the situation. Despite repeated complaints from citizens and NGOs, the district administration has failed to take any concrete steps to prepare an action plan to tackle the problem, despite the assurances given around two weeks ago.
According to reliable sources from the South Goa District Administration, no meeting has been called to deliberate on the issue, let alone prepare an action plan to address it- a shocking revelation considering the extent of the problem. Beggars can now be seen at traffic signals in areas like Old Market, Margao, and Verna Industrial Estate. The situation is causing road safety concerns and traffic management issues, particularly in the bustling town of Margao.
Shockingly, the administration has not yet discussed plans for a home for destitute individuals in South Goa, as mandated by the Supreme Court. The district magistrate’s office has failed to convene a meeting to deliberate on the matter, despite the issue being highlighted on papers and NGOs raising their voices.
Recently, a group of merchants had unitedly demanded that the government authorities draw up an action plan to tackle the menace, which was also affecting their business.
“It has been observed that beggars; who were once seen on the roadside, have now changed their plans to traffic signals, but shockingly there are no concrete plans from the government authorities,” said Floyd Fernandes, a resident of Margao.
Roland Martins, Convenor, GOACAN, said that lots of letters were written to the district collector’s office in the past, but no action was forthcoming. “Now, we will again start writing letters on the issue pertaining to the beggars menace so that a meeting is convened, and a concrete action plan is drawn at the earliest,” he stated.
Martins added that local bodies such as Municipalities and village panchayats, along with the Collector’s office, should discuss the issue and prepare a time-bound programme to crackdown on the racket.
