'Lalmonirhat to be made beggar-free soon'

The beggars will be rehabilitated as per their necessity and the district will be made beggar-free soon, said Social Welfare Minister Nuruzzaman Ahmed at a view exchange meeting with local journalists and civil society members at the Circuit House hall on Sunday.

“Most of the beggars in the district have already been brought under the social safety net schemes like old-age allowance, widow allowance and allowance for the disabled,” the minister said, adding that Social Welfare Department will run the scheme soon. 

Beggar Abdul Khaleque, 73, of Kashiram village in Kaliganj upazila said, "I get Tk 500 as old age allowance every month, but as it is not sufficient and I am not capable of doing physical labour, so I have to beg."

Mahir Uddin, 63, of Fulgachh village in Sadar upazila, said he has been begging for the last 25 years as he is physically unfit for work.

Local people said the district is witnessing increase in the number of beggars due to poverty and lack of work opportunities for the low income group people.

According to Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner's (DC) office the number of beggars in the district is 3,949.

Lalmonirhat DC Shafiul Arif said district administration and social welfare department jointly have been conducting a need-basis survey among beggars in two unions.