Hyderabad-based non-government organisations (NGOs) which work for the rehabilitation of people and children living on the streets conducted a survey and it revealed that most of the beggars in the city are seasonal beggars.
With the GHMC help, the NGOs found that many beggars migrate to the city from different parts of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and other states during important festivals like Ramzan, Christmas, Dasara and others.
Hyderabad Council of Human Welfare (HCHW), a city-based NGO, conducted a survey on beggars at different junctions and religious places in the city. Praveen, a representative of the NGO told the media that majority of the beggars are seasonal but not professional.
“They come to the city during festivals and stay on the streets for a period of 10 days to one month and seek alms,” he said. With the holy month of Ramzan underway, the beggars who have formed groups including women, children and old men, flock mosques, junctions and streets in areas of the city which have largely a Muslim population.
“The beggars are well aware of ‘Zakat’ or alms-giving. Some beggars, who belong to other communities, wear burqas and learn a few words to attract the Muslim devout for easy alms,” Praveen said.
As the celebration of festival comes to an end, they go back to their villages and work as domestic help and take up other odd jobs. “Their daily collection can range anywhere between Rs 400 and Rs 500,” he added.
The other NGOs like C4Cs, COVA, NSSS and LSN Foundation, who were involved in the survey, have come out with similar findings, according to GHMC officials.