Administrative officials take to Bhopal streets to curb begging:SDM conducts drive at Vyapam square, deters woman from selling Gutkha pouches

Efforts to eradicate begging in Bhopal intensified on Thursday as administrative officers once again took to the streets. Following a review meeting at the Bhopal Collectorate, MP Nagar Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) LK Khare led a special drive at Vyapam Square. During the operation, several individuals engaged in begging were stopped and counselled. Orders to curb begging had been issued in February 2025 It is noteworthy that in February 2025, Bhopal Collector Kaulshalendra Vikram Singh had issued orders to treat begging as a crime in Bhopal. He ruled that if anyone is found begging, an FIR shall be registered against him/her, and also against the people found giving alms to them. Woman selling gutkha pouches deterred During the same drive, officials also intervened when a woman was found selling gutkha and pouch tobacco products on the roadside. After receiving guidance from the SDM, both the beggars and the woman vendor assured authorities that they would refrain from such activities in the future. MP Nagar’s Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Manish Bhardwaj accompanied the SDM during the inspection. Meeting held in Collectorate on anti-begging measures Earlier in the day, a meeting was held at the Collectorate under the chairmanship of District Panchayat Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ila Tiwari. The discussions focused on strengthening the campaign to make Bhopal a beggar-free city. CEO Tiwari emphasised that sustained and coordinated action is essential at every administrative level to eliminate begging. She directed officials to conduct public awareness campaigns encouraging citizens to stop giving alms and instead support education and self-reliance initiatives for the underprivileged. Special vigil to be exercised during festive season Highlighting the ongoing festive period, Tiwari instructed departments to maintain strict vigilance across city roads and religious sites where begging tends to increase. The Jan Abhiyan Parishad was also asked to boost public participation in the initiative through community outreach. It was further decided in the meeting that the issue of begging eradication will now become a regular agenda item in the weekly TL (Time Limit) meetings held every Monday.