Question : Skill Development Training to Destitutes

(a) whether the Government is considering to provide skill development training to the abled bodied destitutes to facilitate their reintegration into the mainstream society and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the steps taken by the Government to avoid duplication and ensure transparency and accountability in the implementation of the scheme;

(c) whether consultation meetings were held with the representatives of Central and State Governments, NGOs, Institutes and individual experts to discuss the issues of beggary;

(d) if so, the details and the outcome thereof; and

(e) the other steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide shelter, healthcare and skill development training to the homeless and destitutes?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI VIJAY SAMPLA)

(a) to (e) The States are responsible for taking necessary preventive and rehabilitative steps. As per available information, 20 States and 2 Union Territories have either enacted their own Anti-Beggary Legislation or adopted legislations enacted by other States/UTs.
Further, two National Consultation Meetings were held on 1st July, 2010 and 12th July, 2012 with the representatives of Central/State Governments, NGOs, Institutes and Individual Experts in the field of Beggary to discuss the issues related to Beggary. In these meetings, it was, inter-alia, recommended that:
(i) a Model Legislation for elimination of Beggary should be brought out that can be suitably adopted/adapted by States/UTs; and
(ii) to explore the feasibility of framing a Central
Scheme for rehabilitation of Beggars.
Presently, there is no Central Government Legislation/scheme on Beggary. In pursuance of the recommendations in the National Consultation Meetings as indicated above, a Scheme for Protection, Care and Rehabilitation of Destitutes is under formulation which has, inter-alia, provision for providing skill development training to the able bodied destitutes.