By Maxwell Pereira
Begging is a social malaise, which despite efforts or claimed efforts on the part of concerned authorities, flourishes in Delhi with impunity-much to the disgust, distaste and horror of the community at large.
There is a law against begging, and the Social Welfare Department of the Government is tasked with tackling, if not eradicating the menace of begging on the streets.... and the police station/district police are to assist them in this task.
To local police do pick up beggars and produce them before the prescribed courts from where they secure release on various grounds or assurances.... or are remanded to beggar homes run by the Social Welfare Department - more often than not for incarceration of not more than a few days.
Invariably though, and without doubt, all those so rounded up and acted against land back at their favourite begging place to haunt and solicit once again, may be with added vigour.
Traffic managers give priority to keeping traffic moving; and it is inappropriate and the inadvisable to divert staff for executive action against beggars - involving forcible removal, transportation, production in court etc. of the offending perpetrators - for all of which there are separate wings of government like the social welfare department assisted by the executive law and order police from police stations, primarily tasked.
Even so, following an assurance given to the chief Adminstrator of the city in March 2001 the traffic personnel were tasked not to permit vendors and beggars at traffic points by at least shooing them (the beggars and vendors) away and not permitting any such activity in their (the policeman's) presence.
All senior officers of Delhi police were also tasked to flash on wireless information regarding any beggar in the presence of a traffic constable - at signalised junctions manned by Traffic Police. Many a traffic official found remiss in this duty was and is penalised.
Then came chief secreatary Shailaja Chandra's determined thrust on the eve of PATA Conference in April this year, for a concerted clearing operation of beggars by the Social Welfare Department with Police assistance and to evolve a publicity campaign against begging - which is prominently visible mounted on poster kiosks at 250 identified traffic intersections even as this piece goes to Press.
And now the Traffic Police's new brainchild - a masterstroke to discourage and penalize those who encourage begging at intersections. The argument is simple. Beggars and vendors constitute an accident hazard while moving in and out of traffic at road junctions.
Beggars and vendors also divert the attention of drivers by their activity and/or their intimidating tactics. Many a times motorists giving alms or buying wares at intersections obstruct other vehicles behind them even after the green light has come on.
Consequently the matter was examined to see in what way we can discourage people from giving alms to beggars or buying wares from vendors at intersections.
To supplement existing anti-beggary laws and give more teeth to enforcement modalities on this score, a direction from Delhi Traffic Police could issue that - "No motorist shall encourage or indulge in any activity detrimental to traffic flows or safety of road users - specifically at signalised traffic road junctions and up to a distance of 100 meters on each approaching arm from the centre of the junction.
Giving alms to beggars or purchasing articles/wares/goods from roadside vendors at traffic junctions is construed as acts obstructive to the quick discharge and smooth traffic flows at road intersections, and/or hazardous in nature likely to endanger safety of other road users.
Violation of this direction is attracted by Rule 22(a) of Rules of the Road Regulations, 1989 (framed under section 118 of the central Motor Vehicles Act - 1988) punishable under sec.177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 entailing a fine of Rs. 100 for first offence and Rs. 300 for second or subsequent offences.
This precisely is what has now been done and the notification issue, to come into force from the 6th of September 2002. It is hoped the citizens of Delhi will take heed and cooperate.
© copyright : Maxwell Pereira
Courtesy Mid Day, dated August 28, 2002
Back |
