by William Gomes

At least 700,000 people beg in the capital alone. Many are forced, some even mutilated to increase their value. The government is set to invest US$ 2,000,000 in a rehabilitation programme that is expected to provide education, jobs and shelter.

Dhaka (AsiaNews) – The Bangladeshi government is setting up the first database for beggars living in the capital that will include collecting main vital statistics and photo, Mohammad Nurul Kabir told AsiaNews. “In the capital,” said Mr Nurul Kabit, who is the director general of the National Foundation for Development of the Disabled Persons, “the number of beggars is around 700,000, asking alms at bus stops, railways stations, markets and traffic signals.”

Last March, the Social Welfare Ministry set up a core committee for beggar rehabilitation, he added. Currently, experts are looking at ways to apply the programme.

In March, the government also adopted “new laws to counter the exploitation” of beggars.

“Some people are forced to beg, in many cases, deliberately mutilated to increase their value.”

Under the new 2010 Vagabond and Street Beggars Rehabilitation Act, forcing someone to beg becomes a punishable offence with “three years in prison,” which can rise to five years, plus a 500,000 taka fine (about US$ 7,000), in case of “intentional mutilation of the beggar to increase his value.”

Despite the new legislation, the situation has not changed however. Every day, “the problem is getting worse in the capital and other parts” of the country.

Overall, the government has allocated US$ 2 million in favour of rehabilitation projects for beggars this year.

Social Welfare Minister Enamul Haque Mostafa Shahid said the government wants to invest an additional 63.2 million taka (just under US$ 1 million) next year.

Under the terms of the plan, beggars would be provided with employment, education, training and shelter.

The minister announced that the programme would get underway very soon. Beggars will have their picture taken and will be registered in the rehabilitation programme.

Most of the disabled would be moved to rehabilitation centres, whilst able-bodied beggars would be provided with employment in their district of origin.

The survey will include a single, one-day sweep across the capital, divided into ten zones.

• bangladesh
• islam
• government
• poverty
• development
• economy
• beggars
• human
• rights