Kerala - Kochi   

Drive to eradicate child beggary launched

The administration and the Department of Social Welfare are on a mission to eradicate child beggary, writes Anand Haridas

The district administration and the Department of Social Welfare are on a mission to eradicate child beggary. A campaign, with a five-month deadline, began last week.

"The immediate impact is visible on the street. The presence of children begging has come down, according to information provided by the police," said C.M. Yoshith, Regional Assistant Director, Department of Social Welfare.

A problem faced by the police in fighting child beggary is lack of proper rehabilitation facilities. Officials say that children removed from the streets and put up in juvenile homes are back in no time. This is mostly because begging is economically more logical for these children than remaining in rehabilitation homes.

"We have now mooted the concept of providing foster care for children rescued from the streets. This is in tune with the idea of de-institutionalising child rehabilitation that is being accepted across the world," he said.

The department, along with the administration, has worked out a foolproof system to provide foster care to such children. The project has evoked good response with the department getting more than 10 calls a day from people willing to take these children into their care.

The applications from those willing are being vetted before introducing them to children. The antecedents and financial status of the applicants will be thoroughly checked. "Also, our probation officers will be conducting home visits to ensure that the system is not misused," said Mr. Yoshith.

The contract signed for foster care given will be between minimum period of three months and maximum period of five years. With concerted efforts from all quarters, authorities feel that child beggary can be effectively checked.

"Any citizen can alert either the Childline or the crime stopper numbers, 1098 and 1090, on finding children begging on the streets," Mr. Yoshith said.

But, senior police officials are of the opinion that only a sustained campaign can eradicate the social menace. "We have to address the basic factors helping the industry," said P. Vijayan, City Police Commissioner.

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