CHANDIGARH, 07.08.26-Expressing concern over the rising number of beggars in Chandigarh, former Chandigarh Municipal Corporation Councilor Shakti Prakash Devshali wrote to Chief Secretary H. Rajesh Prasad, calling for Chandigarh to be made truly 'beggar-free'.

In his letter, Devshali stated that Chandigarh has been declared a beggar-free city, but the reality is exactly the opposite. If one stops at any traffic-light point in Chandigarh, two or three beggars can be seen rushing towards the side where the signal has turned red.

At several locations, women beg for money while carrying small children in their arms, claiming that the children require medical treatment. At other places, people seek assistance in the name of the elderly, persons with disabilities and the visually impaired. At many traffic-light points across the city, women and children also beg while pretending to sell items such as pens and toys.

In addition, women and children can often be seen begging around religious places, commercial establishments, malls and markets. They sometimes even run behind vehicles, frequently creating dangerous situations and raising the risk of accidents and loss of life and property.

Devshali said that the unlimited increase in the number of people begging—including small children, persons with disabilities and women—over the past several months gives the impression that an organised network of beggars is operating in Chandigarh, while administrative and police officials appear to be turning a blind eye.

In his letter, Devshali said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Central Government is implementing the SMILE scheme—Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise—for making India free from beggary and rehabilitating people engaged in begging. Under the scheme, a dedicated sub-scheme titled Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging is being implemented. The SMILE scheme focuses on rehabilitation, healthcare, counselling, education, skill development and sustainable livelihood opportunities.

The government’s objective under “Begging-Free India” is to make major metropolitan cities, religious places and historical cities across the country completely free from begging. Devshali requested the Chief Secretary to ensure the rehabilitation of all beggars in Chandigarh under this scheme and to make Chandigarh genuinely “beggar-free.”