THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Steps will be taken to convert the capital district into a begging-free zone, a recent meeting at the Government Juvenile Home in the city decided.

The meeting also decided to bring `begging mafias,' which enlist people from other States for begging in the city, under the purview of law. Children found begging should be produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, who was in charge of the child welfare committee, and adults before the respective magistrate courts.

The meeting called for initiating legal action against adult beggars, under the Beggary Prohibition Act (Travancore). Another decision was taking punitive measures against those employing children for hazardous activities, such as street circus. Medical aid would be given through Government hospitals to people taken into custody on the charge of begging.

A public awareness campaign against begging would be conducted by the city corporation from June 1 to 7. The civic body will also provide vehicles and employees for the task of rehabilitating the beggars.

Food, medicine and clothes would be given to those under the care of Sathya Sai Orphanage Trust.

Pamphlets, brochures and posters, prepared by the Department of Social Welfare, would be distributed through residents' associations, child line and anganwadis.

Juvenile Justice Board Chairman S. Soman presided over the meeting. Mayor C. Jayan Babu; District Collector N. Ayyappan; Sugathakumari, noted poet and social activist; and child line coordinator Philip Parakkat participated.

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