A drive to rid the state capital of people seeking alms appears to have lost traction, as individuals across age groups continue to solicit money at busy junctions and public areas around the city.
On February 4, District Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh issued a directive categorising both begging and offering alms as punishable offences. The Department of Social Welfare was assigned responsibility for implementation. A shelter facility was also established near the Kolar police station to accommodate physically and mentally disabled individuals unable to support themselves. Caretakers were appointed to manage the centre.
However, despite these provisions, the practice remains prevalent.
Authorities announced that surveillance cameras would be used to track those seeking money on the streets, and mobile teams would operate daily to relocate them to shelter homes for rehabilitation. But four months later, conditions on the ground remain largely unchanged. At present, the Kolar shelter houses only ten individuals.
Sangeeta Vellore, who manages the facility, said many people initially agree to stay but leave under the pretext of finding work, only to return to the streets soon after. She emphasised the importance of community awareness and stronger measures to address the issue. She also urged bystanders to discourage the giving of money in public spaces.
“Most of the people currently in the shelter suffer from mental illnesses,” she said.
Those seeking alms can still be seen in prominent areas such as New Market, Hamidia Road, MP Nagar, Rachna Nagar and Mata Mandir Square — often in plain view of law enforcement personnel.
Taking cues from a similar initiative in Indore, the Bhopal Collector had identified nearly 3,000 individuals for intervention and arranged a rehabilitation centre. A public sensitisation campaign was also rolled out. Singh classified the homeless, elderly castaways, and hawkers selling inexpensive items like pens at traffic intersections under the same category.
The initiative follows the nationwide SMILE initiative (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) programme of the central government, which includes a dedicated sub-scheme for persons engaged in the act of begging. The programme aims to provide shelter, education, vocational training and counselling to help reintegrate beneficiaries into the mainstream.
Implemented through NGOs and state governments, the SMILE scheme provides financial assistance for the operation of shelters and outreach activities. However, on-ground impact has been mixed, with several cities, including Bhopal, struggling to sustain momentum due to limited staffing, inadequate follow-up, and reluctance among the target population to shift to structured rehabilitation models.
The Collector's order outlined penalties for both asking for and giving money. Traffic signal surveillance was to be used to identify offenders, who would then be subjected to legal proceedings. Four special teams were formed, each led by a designated officer.
At the time, authorities had claimed that the initiative aimed to link vulnerable individuals with state-sponsored employment programmes. However, outcomes have been disappointing.
Research suggests that entire families continue to survive through street begging. In some cases, individual members reportedly collect over Rs 1,000 a day — earning more than Rs 60,000 a month as a household.
Despite official instructions for strict enforcement, the presence of those relying on alms remains a constant and conspicuous issue on Bhopal’s streets, raising doubts about the success and execution of the campaign.