Beggar-free Lalmonirhat scheme uncertain

The district administration is yet to take steps to implement the scheme for rehabilitating 3,949 listed beggars here.

A special programme for collecting funds from government and non-government employees, teachers and non-governmental organisations (NGO) was taken for the Beggar Free Lalmonirhat scheme.

Former Deputy Commissioner (DC) AFM Alauddin Khan will coordinate the plan. 

Need assessment of 3,949 beggars was surveyed who were supposed to be rehabilitated in July this year. The plan was delayed following transfer of the DC.

Primary schoolteacher Afroza Siddique said she donated her one day's salary to the scheme. “I am very annoyed as beggars still come to our doors for alms,” she added.

“I donated to the scheme but it has not been implemented yet due to reasons unknown,” said Shafiqul Islam, a high schoolteacher in the town.

“We donated our one-day's salary for implementing the beggar-free scheme after getting a letter from the district administration, but implementation of the scheme is uncertain,” said Shamsuzzaman Khandaker, a staff of LGED.

“For the last few months, I have been hearing that a scheme will be taken up to rehabilitate beggars, but no steps have been taken yet,” said Azgar Ali, 68, a beggar.

“I get government's old age allowance facility but it is too scanty to maintain a livelihood,” said Abdur Razzak, 76, of Kaliganj upazila. “I beg to earn my livelihood, and if I am given a chance to be rehabilitated I will say goodbye to begging forever,” he added.

“I don't like begging, I want to do something to earn a living, but I have no alternative option,” said Nur Islam, 75, a beggar in Sadar upazila. 

New DC Shafiul Arif said he would call a meeting in this regard soon to implement the scheme. “We will conduct need assessment of listed beggars again,” he said.