Bhopal/Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh): After Indore, neighbouring Ujjain has ramped up its efforts to free the temple city from beggars under the Central Government’s project SMILE. Ujjain police rescued 25 beggars in the Ramghat area as part of the drive on Tuesday.
Similar actions will soon be carried out in other parts of the city.
The recued beggars have been temporarily housed at Rain Basera shelters. Discussions are underway with Seva Dham Ashram to provide them with food and a permanent residence.
According to information, after the success of the ‘SMILE Project’ in Indore, Ujjain followed up by pledging to make the city beggar-free. Under the pledge, one of many drives was conducted in the Ramghat area of the city. A total of 25 beggars have been shifted to a temporary shelter at Rain Baasera. Ujjain police will carry out the same drive in other locations of the city.
Talking to the press, Collector Neeraj Singh stated that arrangements will be made for the rehabilitation of beggars under the “SMILE Project.” With the help of NGOs, facilities for shelter, food, and employment opportunities will be provided.
FIRs against those who give alms in Indore
Indore was the first city in the state to rescue beggars and rehabilitate them under the central government’s SMILE Project. Indore collector, Asheesh Singh, ordered that anyone found giving alms to the beggars will be subjected to an FIR and legal proceedings from January 1, 2025.
