3 weeks ago
Bhopal Revives Anti-Begging Drive After Earlier Campaign Falters
The city of Bhopal in India wants to make its streets free of begging.
The person in charge of the city, called the Collector, is asking his helpers to take strong action against begging in public places.
This is not the first time the city has tried this.
A similar plan was started in February 2025 by the earlier Collector.
It worked for a little while, but soon beggars came back.
They were seen again at busy roads, traffic lights, markets and religious places.
Now the city is trying again with a new plan.
The new plan includes checking the streets regularly and teaching people about the issue.
The city also has a shelter where people who need help can stay.
The goal is to keep the city free of begging for a longer time this time.
Bhopal district administration has revived its drive to make Madhya Pradesh's capital free of begging.
Collector Priyank Mishra directed the Additional Collector and all Sub-Divisional Magistrates to take strict action against begging at public places.
A February 2025 ban under then Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh failed within a month as beggars returned to roads, markets, traffic signals and religious places.
The first FIR against begging was registered in February 2025 at Board Office Square in MP Nagar under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The renewed drive combines enforcement, regular monitoring and public awareness, with the Community Health Centre in Kolar designated as a shelter for displaced destitute persons.
- Who
- Bhopal district administration led by Collector Priyank Mishra, directing the Additional Collector and Sub-Divisional Magistrates.
- What
- Revived an anti-begging drive combining strict enforcement, regular monitoring and public awareness to make Bhopal free of begging.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, focusing on busy roads, markets, traffic signals and religious places.
- When
- Directions were issued during a review meeting on Monday, months after the earlier February 2025 campaign weakened.
- Why
- Because the earlier crackdown failed to prevent beggars from returning to public places across the city.
Key facts
- City
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
- Current Collector
- Priyank Mishra
- Previous Ban
- February 2025, under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023
- Former Collector
- Kaushlendra Vikram Singh
- First FIR
- February 2025 at Board Office Square, MP Nagar, under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Designated Shelter
- Community Health Centre, Kolar
- Indore Precedent
- Ban on begging imposed from January 2025 with enforcement and rehabilitation measures
Quotes
Priyank Mishra
Collector of Bhopal district
“Effective and strict measures should be taken to curb begging in the city, along with public awareness activities. District administration will come out with proper action on this issue.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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