Bhopal, Aug 10 (IANS) The Bhopal district administration has revived its drive to make the Madhya Pradesh capital free of begging, with Collector Priyank Mishra directing the Additional Collector and all Sub‑Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to take strict action against begging at public places.
The decision comes months after an earlier crackdown failed to prevent beggars from returning to several parts of the city, including busy roads, markets and traffic signals. Mishra issued the directions during a review meeting on Monday and called for enforcement as well as public awareness measures.
“Effective and strict measures should be taken to curb begging in the city, along with public awareness activities. District administration will come out with proper action on this issue,” Mishra said in a statement.
A similar campaign was introduced in February 2025, when then Collector Kaushlendra Vikram Singh issued an order prohibiting begging at public places across the district under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023. The move followed a similar initiative in Indore, which had imposed a ban on begging from January 2025 and undertaken a wider campaign involving enforcement and rehabilitation measures.
In February 2025, police registered the first FIR against an alleged beggar and a person accused of giving alms at Board Office Square in MP Nagar. The case was registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience of an order promulgated by a public servant.
However, the impact of the campaign weakened subsequently. Within a month, beggars were again reported at traffic signals, roadsides and religious places. By April, reports said they could be seen at most locations where they had been present before the ban.
The latest directions therefore seek to restart enforcement and ensure regular monitoring rather than allowing the campaign to remain a short‑term exercise. The administration has specifically asked the Additional Collector and SDMs to take action in their respective jurisdictions and conduct awareness activities. The focus is expected to include prominent public places and busy traffic intersections where begging is frequently reported.
The renewed drive also highlights the challenge of addressing begging through enforcement alone. The earlier Bhopal campaign had designated the Community Health Centre in Kolar as a shelter for displaced destitute persons. At the same time, Indore’s model included efforts to provide shelter and livelihood support to people found begging.
–IANS
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