13,415 beggars moved to rehab centres at prisons

Chanchalguda: Since the start of rehabilitation centres by TS Prisons Department in 2017, till now 13,415 beggars comprising 8,438 male beggars and 4,977 female have been admitted to special homes Anandashrams located in Chanchalguda and Cherlapalli central prisons.

According to DG (Prisons and Correctional Services), V K Singh, the Prisons department volunteered to take up the responsibility of beggars, as they were the most neglected lot in the society.

There are two centres at Central Prison, Chanchalguda and Central Prison, Cherlapalli for rehabilitation of male and female beggars respectively. Anandashram, Chanchalguda (for male), and Anandashram, Cherlapalli (for female), were started on October 20, 2017.

The main objective of the Anandashram is to serve the people at the lowest rung of the society and to safeguard the public order and law in the society by eradicating begging. The beggars are brought to the Anandashrams through regular drives. "We are imparting training and upgrading their skills at the Anand Ashram. Every day, literacy classes are conducted for all inmates of the ashram.

In the classroom, the inmates are taught basic learning. Counselling is provided to repeat beggars by psychological counsellor and supervisor of this Institute, which make them realise bad impact and keep away from begging. So far, we have picked up 8438 male beggars and 4977 female beggars. Our proposals to extend the facilities of Anand Ashram has been pending with the Government, once we get approval, we will start Anandashram in all the districts of Telangana," he said.

V K Singh further added that if any beggar is found in any location of Hyderabad city, people may inform control room phone numbers (040-24511791, 040-24527846) or Anandashram, Chanchalguda (040-24414940) to help eradicate begging in Hyderabad city. Telangana Prisons Department has announced a reward of Rs.1000 to anyone who reports a beggar to the officials. "This step is taken to involve the public in this project and create public awareness," he added.