Campaign’s second phase targets 10 major city markets; strategy chalked out with trade and volunteer groups
Lucknow: In a decisive step toward making the state capital beggar-free, District Magistrate Surya Pal Gangwar chaired a crucial meeting with trade organizations, volunteer groups, and officials on Monday at Patrakarpuram Market, as part of the second phase of the ongoing anti-begging campaign.
Under this phase, the administration aims to free 10 major markets in Lucknow from beggary. These include Janpath Market, Hazratganj Market, Patrakarpuram Market, Bhoothnath Market, Aminabad Market, Lekhraj Market, Bangla Bazaar, Kapoorthala Market, Gol Market, Nishatganj Market, and Charbagh Market.
During the meeting, the District Magistrate informed that joint teams comprising Additional City Magistrates, NGO representatives, trade association members, and surveillance units will conduct coordinated drives in the identified markets. Nodal officers have already been appointed for each location to ensure continuous monitoring and quick response.
Highlighting the progress made so far, the District Magistrate stated that the anti-child begging campaign has been running successfully for the past six months, achieving significant results. The second phase now extends these efforts to commercial areas where instances of child begging remain visible.
He urged traders to discourage beggary and sensitize shopkeepers and visitors against offering money to child beggars, emphasizing that public cooperation is crucial to the campaign’s success.
To enhance coordination, the DM directed officials to create a dedicated WhatsApp group connecting market association representatives, nodal officers, and rescue teams. Traders have been asked to immediately share photos and locations if any child begging activity is spotted, enabling prompt rescue and rehabilitation action.
During the inspection, the surveillance team rescued three children found begging in the market area. Upon inquiry, it was revealed that the children’s parents had pushed them into begging. The DM instructed the District Probation Officer to ensure the parents undergo counseling and warned that repeat offenders would face legal action under the anti-begging provisions.
The meeting also touched upon the issue of encroachments on market footpaths, raised by members of the Patrakarpuram Vyapar Mandal. Taking note of the concern, the District Magistrate directed Additional City Magistrate (IV) Sachin Verma to form a joint team with the zonal officer, ACP, and local police, and to launch an anti-encroachment drive, relocating vendors to designated vending zones under the Lucknow Municipal Corporation.
Senior officials present included the Chief Development Officer, ADCP Traffic, District Probation Officer, Additional City Magistrate (IV), along with representatives of Lucknow Vyapar Mandal, Patrakarpuram Market Association, and various NGOs.
