Open house: How should city tackle issue of begging?

Beyond crackdowns, onto rehabilitation

The administration’s campaign to curb beggary in the city appears to have failed, as beggars and ‘eunuchs’ are openly seen asking for alms at busy junctions, markets, temples and especially at traffic signals. Despite periodic drives and public awareness messages, the issue remains deeply rooted and continues to grow. Many of those who beg do so not out of choice, but due to poverty, abandonment, unemployment, lack of family support or social exclusion. In some cases, organised groups and handlers exploit them for profits. During festival seasons and peak hours, their presence increases even more, making the problem visible and unavoidable for citizens. This not only reflects gaps in enforcement but also highlights the absence of long-term rehabilitation. To tackle this problem, the administration must focus on rehabilitation rather than short-term crackdowns. Strict action must be taken against gangs exploiting vulnerable people. Collaboration with NGOs and social workers can create sustainable employment opportunities so that begging can be done away with, permanently.

Novin Christopher

Not merely a matter of clearing roads

This is a complex and persistent issue that goes beyond simple law enforcement. The administration’s claim likely failed because it addressed the symptom (begging in public) rather than the root causes. The presence of beggars and transgender people indicates deep-seated social and economic problems. A sustainable solution requires a multi-pronged, compassionate, and systemic approach. The basic root cause of the problem is lack of education, skills or employment opportunities. We know that criminals often exploit children, the disabled, and vulnerable adults, forcing them to beg and taking their earnings. Many beggars have physical or mental health challenges and lack access to social security or healthcare. Due to this reason some are trapped in cycles of addiction with no access to rehabilitation. The hijra/transgender community often faces severe discrimination in employment, housing, and education, leaving begging of their only means of survival. To tackle this problem, the local government must create safe, welcoming shelters where beggars can go voluntarily. These should be the first points of contact for outreach workers. Social workers should assess each individual to understand their specific reasons behind taking to begging whether it is unemployment, disability, family breakdown, or coercion. Offer practical, short-term vocational training (tailoring, cooking, electrician work, retail skills). Local government must create partnerships with local businesses and industries to provide jobs for rehabilitated individuals. Government incentives can encourage this. Ensure existing welfare schemes actually reach the target groups. Local government must explore the feasibility of a universal basic income or direct cash transfers for the most vulnerable, conditional on children attending school, specifically for the transgender community.

Dr Mohammad Saleem Farooqui

Gross Failure of societal compassion

The administration’s campaign to curb begging has clearly failed, as beggars and eunuchs continue seeking alms across the. This not only reflects administrative negligence but also a deeper social failure. Merely removing beggars is not the solution — rehabilitation, education, and skill training must be prioritised. The government should collaborate with NGOs to create shelters, provide employment opportunities, and ensure social security for marginalised groups. Strict monitoring at public places should go hand in hand with compassionate rehabilitation. True progress lies not in driving the poor away but in restoring their dignity and livelihood. Only then can the city be free from the cycle of begging and indifference.

Sonampreet Singh

Need to adopt

humane approach

Merely imposing fines or conducting drives cannot solve this deep-rooted social issue. Most beggars are victims of unemployment, disability, or social exclusion. Sustainable rehabilitation, rather than punishment, is essential. The government must strengthen welfare schemes, provide vocational training, and ensure access to shelters, healthcare, and education. Collaboration with NGOs can help identify genuine cases and rehabilitate individuals through skill-based employment. Public awareness is equally crucial —citizens should be encouraged to support rehabilitation programmes instead of giving alms directly. A compassionate and structured approach, combining enforcement with empathy, can gradually reduce begging and help these marginalised groups lead lives of dignity and self-reliance.

Chamanpreet Kaur

symbol of systemic discrimination

The administration’s endeavour to eradicate beggary has evidently faltered, as beggars and transgender people continue to solicit alms. This pervasive malaise cannot be mitigated through punitive measures or transient eviction drives. Beggary is symptomatic of entrenched poverty, social marginalisation, and systemic unemployment. Hence, a multidimensional and humane strategy is indispensable. The state must fortify its rehabilitative apparatus by instituting vocational training centres, inclusive shelters, and accessible healthcare. Collaboration with civil society organisations can facilitate reintegration through skill development and psychological counselling. Concurrently, public sensitisation is paramount to dissuade indiscriminate charity and promote structured assistance. Only through a judicious blend of compassion, policy coherence, and socio-economic reform can the city extricate itself from this ignominious spectacle and restore dignity to its most destitute denizens.

Manpreet Kaur

Protect rights of trans people

There is a dire need to rigorously enforce laws that protect transgender rights. Local government must run public awareness campaigns to reduce social stigma and foster inclusion. Implement job reservations for the transgender community in government and public sector jobs. Provide funding, mentorship, and easier access to loans for beggars to start their own small businesses. Train them for roles in retail, hospitality, and beauty industries, and work with corporate partners to create inclusive hiring policies. Ensure their children and adults can access education without harassment. Local government must provide sensitive and specialised healthcare, including gender-affirming care. Then, there is the need to shift the focus of police action from arresting beggars to dismantling organised begging rings. This requires dedicated anti-trafficking and organised crime units. Train the police to handle beggars and transgender individuals with dignity and to understand the socio-economic factors at play. They should be a bridge to social services, not just an instrument of punishment. Encourage citizens to donate to certified NGOs and shelters instead of giving alms directly. The failure of the administration’s claim stems from a simplistic view of the problem. Begging is not a crime of choice but a symptom of systemic failure. The solution is to move from a model of cleaning the streets to one of rebuilding lives. This is a longer, more complex, and more expensive process, but it is the only one that will yield permanent results.

Farzana Khan

Need for consistent social services

Just chasing beggars away isn’t enough. The issue runs much deeper — it’s about unemployment, lack of shelter, and sometimes even exploitation by organised groups. Some groups force people — including children and eunuchs — to beg. The police must act strictly against such rackets and protect the victims. People often give alms out of sympathy. Instead, they can donate to NGOs or shelters that genuinely help the needy. This reduces the incentive to beg. Eunuchs often resort to begging because they face discrimination in jobs and education. Giving them equal opportunities and social acceptance is key to reducing this problem. In short, the problem of begging can’t be solved by force — it needs compassion, opportunity, and consistent social support.

Punjab Silk Bank Interns

Reimagining fight

with kindness

Every day, at traffic lights and temple gates, a hand stretches out — not just for money, but for dignity. The administration’s campaign to curb begging failed because it tried to erase the symptom, not heal the wound. Poverty, rejection, and invisibility drive people — including eunuchs — to the streets, not choice. Real change begins when we replace pity with purpose. Instead of chasing beggars away, let’s open doors: provide skill training, safe housing, and respectful jobs. Let transgender find stages, classrooms, and offices — not signals. Let empathy replace enforcement. Curbing begging isn’t about making streets cleaner; it’s about making society kinder. When every citizen has a way to live with pride, begging will vanish on its own — not because we punished it, but because we finally understood it.

Daraspreet Kaur

Eradicate organised exploitative groups

This indicates a complex issue that requires more than just a surface-level campaigning. The failure of the campaign highlights that begging is likely driven by deeper socio-economic factors such as poverty, lack of employment opportunities, and potentially organized networks. A simple ‘heavy-handed’ approach without addressing these root causes is often ineffective. Tackling this issue requires a multi-faceted approach. This could include rehabilitation programmes, skill development, providing shelter, and strict action against any organised begging rings. Collaboration between government, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the community is crucial to present a strong argument with supporting ideas. The problem of begging is persistent and complex. Effective solutions must be holistic, focusing on long-term rehabilitation and addressing the underlying causes rather than just short-term measures.

Manmeet Kaur

springs out of lack

of education facilities

Begging is a major socio- economic problem. It mainly arises due to lack of employment, education, and basic facilities for the poor sections of society. To overcome this issue, the government should focus on generating employment opportunities for the underprivileged and transgender community. Children should be encouraged and ensured to attend school regularly so that they can build a better future. People must also be made aware that instead of giving alms directly to beggars, they should donate to NGOs and organisations working for their rehabilitation. With proper education, employment, and public cooperation, the problem of begging can be reduced, helping these individuals lead a life of dignity and self-reliance.

Harneet Kaur

Need for synergised effort, strong laws

Recent checks found that many children seen begging were from rich families or had been kidnapped. These children should be returned safely to their parents, or placed in a proper shelter where they can live and learn. A shelter must provide food, education, and simple skill training so they can earn an honest living. The government must also act strictly against those who force or trade people into begging. The police and social workers should work together to find and stop traffickers. Awareness campaigns must teach people not to give money to beggars on the street but to support verified help programmes instead. Community groups and volunteers should join these efforts. Regular checks, strong laws, and strong social support will reduce this problem. In the end, with care and firm action, we can protect children, help families, and build a more respectful and fair society.

Ishpreet Kaur

Utilise CCTV cameras installed across city

The problem of begging can be solved not through punishment but through support. The government should set up shelter homes, employment, and training centres. Strict action should be taken against those who exploit beggars. People should also be made aware not to give money on the streets. The government should work with NGOs to make some strict rules so that people donate more to NGOs instead of giving money on the streets. So that NGOs can provide maximum help to beggars. The police should conduct spot checks to ensure that no child or woman is being forced to beg. CCTV cameras should be installed at various places so that anyone begging can be caught. Children should be taught from a young age that begging is not the. We should eat by working hard, not by begging. People are begging, the government should give them jobs so that they don’t resort to beggary.

PRABHJOT KAUR

Help them earn a

living with dignity

The focus should shift from punishment to rehabilitation. Most beggars and transgender persons resort to begging due to poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion. The administration should launch skill-training and livelihood programmes where they can learn simple jobs like packaging, cleaning, tailoring, or handicrafts. Local NGOs, religious institutions, and businesses can partner to offer employment and shelter facilities. Special attention must be given to the transgender community, providing them with dignity, education, and inclusion in government schemes. Public awareness campaigns should also discourage giving alms directly and instead promote donations to registered rehabilitation centres. Creating a city-wide “earn with dignity” initiative — offering small work opportunities such as city beautification, recycling, or helping at public events — can restore self-respect while reducing begging. This humane and practical approach can turn dependence into empowerment.

Avleen Kaur

Introduce inclusive welfare schemes

The issue of begging in our cities needs urgent attention. The government must take strict action against beggars and eunuchs who are involved in illegal or antisocial activities. At the same time, new welfare schemes and rehabilitation policies should be introduced to help genuine beggars rebuild their lives. Citizens should also play a responsible role by avoiding giving money directly to beggars and instead donating to registered NGOs that work for their upliftment. The administration should establish proper shelter homes for physically disabled beggars, ensuring they receive care, food, and medical support. On the other hand, beggars who are physically fit should be provided with vocational training and employment opportunities so they can earn a respectful living. Only through collective efforts by the government and society can the problem of begging be effectively controlled.

Navneet Singh

establish more skill

training programmes

The recent effort by the city administration to curb begging has not worked. Beggars are still asking for money and food openly everywhere! This is a tough problem and we need to find better ways to solve it. How can we help? Instead of just forcing people off the streets, the administration should try to understand why people beg. Many might not have a home, a job, or enough food. A good solution would be to create centres where these people can stay safely. The city could also start skill training programmes to equip them for at the job market. This gives them a chance to earn their own money and live a better life without begging. Also, it's important to educate the public. While giving money might feel kind, it often doesn't solve the main problem. Supporting the government's programmes that offer food, shelter, and job training is a much better way to help the needy. A mixture of help and enforcement is needed to address the issue honestly.

Pahulpreet Singh

Issue At Hand

THE campaign launched by the district administration to curb begging has not achieved its intended results, as beggars and eunuchs continue to openly seek alms in busy community spaces. Tackling this issue requires more than enforcement drives; it calls for a multi-pronged approach that addresses the root causes of poverty, unemployment and social exclusion. Rehabilitation programmes, skill-development initiatives, and alternative livelihood opportunities must be strengthened so that those dependent on begging can find dignified means of survival. At the same time, awareness among citizens is crucial to discourage indiscriminate alms giving, while welfare schemes should be made more accessible to marginalised groups.

QUESTION for next week

Will the MC’s move to start night challaning and imposing fines on those who throw garbage in the open be effective in curbing the problem, or should greater emphasis be placed on awareness and improved waste management systems?

Suggestions in not more than 150 words can be sent to ludhianadesk@tribunemail.com by Thursday (November 20)