Beggars under the age group of 10-16 are being seen in increasing number in the important areas of the city like Rajpur Road, ISBT, Railway Station, Paltan Bazaar and the like. From morning till late night, they are seen roaming around the roads, asking for money in the name of God or health.Taking note of the beggars stalking around the city asking for alms, residents of Dehradun are raising questions over what Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is doing. “The children are seen begging all the day especially near Astley Hall and Gandhi Park. The Commission has been set up to take care of such children or orphans. But nothing seems to be happening,” said a city resident who frequently visited Rajpur Road.
“We are taking steps for the development and protection of these children and have started to work from the ground level,” informed Vijaylaxmi Gusain, Vice-Chairperson, Uttarakhand State Commission for Protection of Child Rights.Speaking about the conditions of beggars in the city, she added, “According to our survey in the past one month, majority of these beggars under the age group 10-16 come from other States like Rajasthan and Bihar and also from other parts of Uttarakhand like Haldwani and Haridwar.”
Gusain assumed charge on May 19. She alleged that the authorities and even the chairman of the Commission are not alive to the matter. “The officials, magistrates and other members of the Commission are not supportive enough. They need to learn a lot,” she added.According to Gusain, so far one meeting has been held to spread awareness about child rights and their protection. “We held meetings in Pauri and Haridwar and spoke to the DMs in June. I have personally observed that they are not well-versed enough about the children rights. They are not serious either,” she said
Speaking against the non-governmental organissations in the State, she said many of the NGOs across the State are fake. “So far, no NGO has cared to come to me to speak about this serious matter of increasing beggary in the city,” she rued.