The Government of NCT of Delhi has informed that the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 is in operation in Delhi since 1960. Drive against Beggary is a regular feature and action is taken against beggars as per provisions contained in the Act. They have appointed 13 anti begging squads to apprehend the beggars from different places of Delhi. 3 Courts (including 2 Mobile Courts) are working under the above said Act.
The Government of NCT of Delhi has also informed that they sponsored a survey of beggars in Delhi in 2006 in collaboration with Department of Social Welfare, University of Delhi. As per the survey report the estimated (projected) number of beggars was 58,570. Thereafter, no other survey has been conducted by the Government of NCT of Delhi and there is no authentic statistical data available to indicate the actual number of beggars in Delhi.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment Shri. D. Napoleon, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Eradication of Beggary Before CWG 2010
