VASCO: Taking serious note of the increasing menace of begging in the port town, the vice chairperson of Mormugao Municipal council, Tara Kerkar has sought help from the office of Deputy Collector Mormugao Sabaji Shetye as well as the Vasco Police seeking action to curb the menace.
“Begging is a common sight especially in the city of Vasco wherein it would be a rare exception if you were not approached for alms by shabbily dressed women with an infant in their arms in order to attract attention and gain sympathy. Some beggars are a nuisance, as they occupy the corridors of Mormugao Municipality building as well as the garden in front of the building and they are making the whole area a complete mess,” Kerkar told Herald.
She further informed saying, “Although we are witnessing beggar menace throughout the year, the menace has increased as we are all set to celebrate the annual Damodar Bhajani Saptha. The inflow of beggars in town has extensively increased and it is possible that there are gangs involved in this trade. Also many beggars are from outside the State and should be booked under the provisions of the anti-begging law. Giving alms to the poor is a good gesture, but one never knows if the money really reaches the needy,” she said. Meanwhile, the citizens of the port town too have raised serious concern on increasing beggar menace in the city and especially the surrounding of Mormugao Municipality.
