Indore Declared as India’s First Beggar-Free City.

National

In May 2025, the District Magistrate of Indore, Madhya Pradesh (MP), announced that Indore has become the first Indian city to be beggar-free, following an ‘anti-begging campaign’ launched in February 2024 aimed at eliminating begging from the city.


      - The campaign, initiated by the city administration, has been recognized as a model project by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MSJE) and a team from the World Bank (WB).

      - Indore is among the 10 cities where MSJE has started a pilot project to eradicate begging.

     

Main Point :-   (i) Previously, Indore had around 5,000 beggars, including 500 children, who were rehabilitated through employment opportunities and school enrollment for children involved in begging.

      (ii) Under the campaign, individuals found begging at intersections and roads were apprehended and sent to relocation centres where they received accommodation and food. First Information Reports (FIRs) were also registered against beggars coming from other states.

(iii) The Indore district administration launched a dedicated helpline number where citizens could report beggars through WhatsApp or other means, enabling the immediate deployment of rescue teams to relocate them to rehabilitation centres. A reward of Rs. 1,000 was given to those who provided information about beggars.

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