(a) whether an Action Aid International study on beggary in India shows that 99 per
cent of men and 97 per cent of women got into beggary due to poverty;
(b) if so, the facts thereof;
(c) the details of the other reasons found for begging; and
(d) the steps taken by the Union Government to alleviate the begging in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT (SMT. SUBBULAKSHMI JAGADEESAN)
(a) The Government is not in receipt of any study by Action Aid International.
(b) and (c) Do not arise.
(d) In addition to the poverty alleviation and employment generation schemes being
implemented by the Government of India, the Ministry of Social Justice and
Empowerment is also implementing various schemes for the welfare of vulnerable
sections of society i.e. older persons, disabled, street children, drug addicts in
order to remove the need for their taking up the practice of beggary. These
shemes are listed below:-
(i) An Integrated Programme for Older Persons.
(ii) Scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities.
(iii) An integrated Proagramme for Street Children
(iv) Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse.