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Business News/ Politics / Policy/  Smart cards, insurance, Aadhaar for beggars likely
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Smart cards, insurance, Aadhaar for beggars likely

The central government is also planning a model law on begging that states may adopt if they wish to rather than central legislation

Photo: Hindustan TimesPremium
Photo: Hindustan Times

The central government wants to issue smart cards, insurance policies and Aadhaar numbers to beggars. Also in the pipeline is a so-called model law on which the social justice ministry has started discussions with other ministries.

The government plans a model law that states may adopt if they wish to rather than central legislation, according to an inter-ministerial consultation paper on the draft law of which Mint has seen a copy.

“The government is for giving smart cards to beggars and the destitute. The outcome could be manifold – easy census, easy tracking and policy plans for their welfare," a government official who attended an inter-ministerial meeting on the proposal said on condition of anonymity.

Beggars will also be given Aadhaar numbers, which would help them open bank accounts and buy low cost insurance policies such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, said a second government official, who asked not to be identified.

India is home to at least 413,670 beggars and vagrants with the highest number coming from West Bengal (81,244) followed by Uttar Pradesh (65,835), data from the ministry of social justice shows.

The model law which aims to bring about social and economic rehabilitation of beggars, also envisages training beggars to become self-reliant. Under this law begging is not termed a crime as it is under some state laws. It does, however, seek to distinguish between begging and organized begging, which would be tackled using strict rules.

The model law says beggars should be brought to rehabilitation homes where they can be put through skill training programmes. However, it suggests that those who return to begging be arrested and placed in detention.

But why is it not a central legislation? “A central law will clash with state laws and the union government does not want to create such a situation. So we shall prepare the law and after cabinet approval and send to all states to emulate. If they need any assistance on any issues, the centre shall extend help," said the second government official.

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Published: 02 Nov 2016, 01:09 AM IST
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