Patna: Bihar Government is continuously showering money on the public. Now Nitish government is giving money to those people who are earning their living by begging on the roadside. The government is identifying these beggars and forming groups to connect them with the main stream of the society and depositing an amount of Rs 10,000 each in their bank accounts. So that he can earn his living by starting a small business.
The government is currently running the Chief Minister Beggary Prevention Scheme to eliminate the compulsion of begging, which is operational in 10 districts of the state including Purnia. This scheme is being run by the Social Welfare Department in 19 rehabilitation centers in Patna, Gaya, Nalanda, Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Purnia, Saharsa, Bhagalpur, Munger and Saran.
In these 10 districts of the state, facilities like food, clothing, treatment, consultation, yoga and entertainment are being provided to the beggars absolutely free. Apart from this, the process of opening new rehabilitation homes is going on in 14 other districts and 2 half-way homes are being built in Bhojpur district.
Afsana Khatoon, the originator of Seva Kutir running in Purnia, said that the person begging on the roadside is first identified. If someone is healthy then efforts are made to remove him from the business of begging. A group of them is formed and first they are told about collective savings and then the first installment of Rs 10,000 received by the government is given to the people who have given up begging. He told that at present 10 groups are running successfully in Purnia, in which some people are earning their living by selling tea shops, egg shops and vegetables.
Seva Kutir Superintendent Shravan Kumar said that at present 39 monks have been kept in this centre, most of whom are unable to tell their homes. Along with living arrangements, they are also given treatment. He is counseled daily. If he gives his name and address, he is reunited with his family.
