Traffic lights have provided a sigh of relief to the general public; more than public it seems traffic cops are feeling relieved. But before the joy could be enjoyed for some time, outside beggars have claimed their right of occupying such spots.
Right now I want to talk on the menace of begging by our outside  guests who have come as a special class of tourists known as outside beggars and it hardly needs to be mentioned what glamour they have added to traffic lights when they swarm like social virus for begging. What charm has been added by their tents with multi colored canopies which seems to be not concerning in the least any authority whatsoever existing in this State. They in the opinion of the people have become the cause of spreading drug trafficking, immoral trafficking and other such things which are badly needed for ruining any society.
We have a law enacted way back in 1960 called as J&K Prevention of Beggary Act. Besides other places begging has been specifically prohibited on public places under section 2 of the Act. It has been further provided that for begging purposes a beggar will not exhibit  any sore, wound, injury, deformity or disease. This is a cognizable offence and any police officer under section 4 can arrest the beggar without any warrant and the offence is punishable from one year to three years by summary trial. Beggars are to be lodged in beggar homes/children homes and sick homes during their detention and are to be provided training there and the Judicial Magistrate has to specify in the order whether the beggar is a State born Subject or outsider. In case after first conviction the beggar is again found begging he can be second time convicted under section 6 for a minimum period of seven years. Every deserving person has to apply for permission to get alms, food etc to the Dy. Commissioner  concerned under Rule 4 of 1964 Rules and the DC after satisfying himself will specify the area, period and the purpose of begging. How much is this law respected on our roads and other places is every bodies guess. Do the Law enforcement agencies really mean business by enforcing the laws or only those laws are to be enforced which bring the enforcement agencies dividends and rest are for the sake of dead letters in the Statute Books only. What a service it would be if public in general is notified by the law enforcement agencies which laws are meant for enforcement and which ones should be ignored by the people.
If an individual can be detained for protection of political order why can’t these beggars be detained for protection of social order. Why should they not implement the prevention of Beggars Act by constructing Sick Homes/Beggar Homes and Children Homes for the detention of beggars to save the public from this menace besides taking care of the beggars at State level. It will not be an idle exercise but will open one more window for demanding and utilizing the money the way same is being used for other projects by the people at the helm of affairs.

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Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 25 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 26 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST