In a bold initiative, the administration in Indore, India, has announced stringent measures to tackle street begging. Starting January 1, 2025, legal action will be taken against individuals offering alms to beggars, while the beggars themselves will not face direct punitive actions.
This policy is part of the Union government’s pilot project, Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE), aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods for those in extreme poverty. Indore is one of the 10 cities selected for the implementation of this initiative.
To prepare residents, an awareness campaign will run through December 2024. Post-campaign, anyone found giving money to beggars will face legal repercussions, including FIRs being registered against them.
Speaking to the media, District Collector Ashish Singh appealed to the public: “I urge all residents of Indore not to be partners in the sin by giving alms to people.”
Authorities emphasize that the initiative seeks to address the root causes of begging and promote long-term rehabilitation. The Indian Ministry for Social Justice and Empowerment underlined that tackling begging requires collective efforts rather than solely punitive measures.
This unprecedented move has sparked debates, with proponents lauding its focus on sustainable solutions and critics raising concerns over its ethical implications.
As Indore prepares for the January rollout, all eyes will be on the city to assess the impact of this groundbreaking policy.
