The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : A problem begging for attention

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 08, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

A problem begging for attention

While police blame the civic body for its failure to effectively check the menace, civic authorities want Social Welfare department to rehabilitate beggars, says P. Oppili.

There has been a spurt in the number of people seeking alms at traffic junctions in the city.

Be it in south, central or north Chennai, the situation is the same. The sight of women and children seeking alms is common at the junction of G.N. Chetty Road and Tirumalai Pillai Road, T.Nagar, 2nd Avenue in Anna Nagar, `Round Tana' at the junction of Tirumangalam, the Sydenhams Road intersection and Poonamallee High Road, Parrys junction, Broadway signal point.

They also pose a major threat to motorists and other road users.

You not only see them seeking alms, but also peddling cleaning cloth, ear cleaning buds and all kinds of wares.

At the G.N. Chetty Road-Tirumalai Pillai Road junction, a person seeking alms went to the extent of attacking lensmen who tried to photograph him. The police are often rendered helpless in curbing the menace. The best they can do is to send them to rehabilitation homes with the help of the Corporation, but it is only a matter of time before they return to roam the streets.

Lack of awareness

Whose responsibility is it to remove beggars from the city roads? This is a question that remains unanswered.

A senior police officer said there was lack of awareness among officials about the handling of beggars.

The police assist the Corporation authorities, whenever they conduct a drive against beggars.

While the police point the finger at the civic body for its failure to effectively check the menace, the civic authorities claim it is the duty of Social Welfare Department to rehabilitate beggars.

A home for beggars was set up at Poonamallee.

Inmates are imparted vocational training depending on their health condition and age. However, an officer said in most of the cases, even after undergoing training, the beggars return to the same road or junction.

Citizens feel that irrespective of whether it is the duty of the city police, the Chennai Corporation or the Social Welfare Department, it is high time action was taken against beggars and others crowding at signal points, as this endangers their lives besides creating hassles for motorists.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu