Indore, India’s cleanest city, is now working towards becoming beggar-free, taking a bold step to achieve this goal. Starting January 1, the district administration will register FIRs against anyone who gives money to beggars on the streets.

District Collector Ashish Singh announced that the administration has already implemented a ban on begging in the city. “Our awareness campaign against begging will continue until the end of this month. From January 1, if anyone is caught giving alms, an FIR will be filed against them,” he stated. He urged residents to refrain from supporting begging, calling it a “sin” to encourage the practice.

The initiative is part of a pilot project by the central government, aimed at rehabilitating beggars in 10 cities, including Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna, and Ahmedabad. During the campaign, the administration uncovered some surprising facts. Project officer Dinesh Mishra revealed that some beggars owned homes, while others had children employed in banks. In one case, a beggar was found with ₹29,000 in cash, and another was found lending money at interest. Mishra also reported that a gang had brought children from Rajasthan to beg in the city, but they were rescued from a hotel where they were staying.

In support of the government’s efforts, an Indore-based organization has stepped forward to help. Madhya Pradesh Social Welfare Minister Narayan Singh Kushwaha shared that the organization will offer shelter to the beggars for six months and assist them in finding work. “We are working tirelessly to free people from the cycle of begging,” Kushwaha said, emphasizing the importance of rehabilitation for those affected.