MARGAO: A plan of action to tackle beggars’ menace was put in place at a review meeting held at the District Collectorate building on Thursday chaired by Additional District Collector Dipak Desai.
A number of suggestions were put forward by representatives of various government departments including, police and GOACAN which Desai agreed to implement.
One such initiative was to start a social awareness campaign using the youth such as NSS, Nehru Kendra Yuva volunteers, college students to educate the public about why they should not encourage begging activity.
While this will be done via skits etc, the idea was to break the organised crime racket wherein young children and women are being exploited for begging.
GOACAN Co-ordinator Roland Martins also expressed fear about toddlers that are seen in the arms of women whilst begging, being drugged, so as to evoke sympathy from potential customers.
Martins also warned that Goa’s tourism is getting a bad name as beggars are targeting and also harassing tourists on the beach.
The absence of a shelter home, legal challenges faced by the police, beggars coming up at traffic signals etc were also discussed amongst other issues at this meeting.
Desai recommended that Child Welfare Committee (CWCs) be roped in to look after the rehabilitation of the rescued children or sending them back to their respective States.
Martins added that NGOs that are willing to help with the transit period can also be asked to collaborate.
While the larger focus will be on generating funds for a shelter home, the authorities including municipalities and panchayats were asked to start collating data about beggars and their locations, which would help address this issue.
Martins pointed to the success of a recent initiative carried out in Mapusa market following the directions of the Bardez Deputy Collector and added that this meeting was a good start for South Goa.
