https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Undercover Networks and Fake Poverty: How Indore Set a National Example by Eliminating Begging

Under the leadership of IAS officer Asheesh Singh, Indore executed a three-phase plan to eliminate begging, busting organized syndicates, rehabilitating individuals, and setting a national benchmark for urban transformation.
Indian Masterminds Stories

For years, Indore has set the benchmark for cleanliness in India. But beyond its spotless streets and well-maintained public spaces, the city has now achieved another milestone – it has become completely beggar-free. This remarkable transformation results from an intensive, well-planned campaign led by 2010-batch IAS officer and Indore’s District Collector, Mr. Asheesh Singh. Through a structured three-phase plan and a strong enforcement mechanism, Indore has successfully eradicated organized begging while offering rehabilitation to those in need.

A THREE- PHASE MISSION TO END BEGGING

Recognizing that begging in Indore was not just a matter of poverty but a deep-rooted network involving syndicates, Mr. Asheesh Singh and his team launched a comprehensive, three-phase approach.

Asheesh Singh, MD (Road Development Corporation, Madhya Pradesh)

Phase 1: Rescuing Children

The administration first focused on protecting children, often exploited by begging networks. Many were forced to beg on streets, at traffic signals, and outside religious places. The district officials, in collaboration with NGOs and child welfare organizations, identified these vulnerable children and rehabilitated them in shelter homes. They were provided with education, healthcare, and psychological counseling to reintegrate them into society.

Phase 2: Counseling Senior Beggars

The second phase targeted elderly beggars and those who had been in this occupation for years. The administration conducted extensive counseling sessions, explaining the benefits of leaving the streets behind. They were encouraged to return to their families or take up alternative livelihoods. Many seniors were placed in old-age homes, while some were connected to employment opportunities through government schemes. More than 3000 people have been counseled to be removed from the begging business under the initiative.

Phase 3: Cracking Down on Syndicates and Enforcement

With the vulnerable populations rehabilitated, the final phase was the most aggressive—identifying and dismantling organized begging networks. The administration worked alongside the police to track and bust gangs that had turned begging into a business. Several kingpins of these operations were arrested, and their operations were completely shut down. Furthermore, a strict order was issued to penalize those who encouraged begging by giving alms in public spaces.

“In a city as progressive as Indore, organized begging had no place. Our mission was not just to clear the streets but to rehabilitate those in need and take down those who exploited them,” said Mr. Asheesh Singh to Indian Masterminds

THE RAJASTHAN BEGGING SYNDICATE BUSTED

One of the most shocking discoveries during the campaign was a syndicate operating from Rajasthan. The gang had been running a large-scale begging racket in Indore, where they brought people from Rajasthan in bulk, housed them in cheap hotels, and deployed them across the city’s busiest intersections. These beggars were rotated every few weeks to evade detection.

In a major crackdown, over 25 individuals from Rajasthan were caught from a single hotel. They would leave every morning, spread across the city, and return at night with their earnings. The administration identified this pattern and swiftly acted. The entire network was dismantled, and the culprits were deported back to their home states.

“We found that some of these individuals were earning up to ₹2 lakh per month through begging. This wasn’t just about poverty—it was a well-oiled business that needed to be shut down,” said the collector

A THREE-GENERATION BEGGING FAMILY EXPOSED

Perhaps one of the most eye-opening cases was that of a family spanning three generations—grandparents, parents, and children—all involved in begging. They had been living in Indore for decades, making a substantial income through this illegal means. Investigations revealed that they owned property in their native village but chose begging as it was more lucrative.

In a dramatic intervention, the administration relocated them back to their ancestral land, ensuring they utilized their property for farming instead. Their children were enrolled in schools, breaking the cycle of begging that had persisted in their family for years.

MOBILIZING TEAMS

To make Indore truly beggar-free, the administration identified over 40 major hotspots where begging was rampant. These included busy roads, crossroads, temples, and markets. Specialized teams were formed, comprising officials from the Women & Child Development, Labour, and Education departments, as well as the Municipal Corporation, Home Guards, and NGOs.

These teams were responsible for on-the-ground counseling, enforcement, and rehabilitation efforts.

STRICT ACTION AGAINST GIVING ALMS

To ensure the success of the mission, a major deterrent was put in place—strict penalties for those giving alms to beggars. Many well-meaning citizens unknowingly sustained the begging industry by offering money at traffic signals and temples. Now, under the new regulations, even those encouraging begging by offering money could face legal action.

THE ROAD AHEAD

Indore’s transformation into a beggar-free city sets a precedent for other urban centers in India. By addressing both the humanitarian and criminal aspects of the issue, the administration has proven that with the right approach, even the most deeply ingrained social problems can be tackled.

What’s next for Indore? With its streets now free from beggars, the administration is focused on long-term monitoring to ensure that the problem does not resurface. Helpline numbers have been set up for citizens to report any resurgence of begging, ensuring that Indore continues to lead by example.

Indore has shown that it is not just the cleanest city in India but also one that values dignity, discipline, and development.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
Calcutta HC
Calcutta High Court Issues Contempt Notice Against IPS Officer Vishal Garg and 6 Others
SBI_resized
SBI Declares Rs. 15.90 Dividend Per Share for FY 2024-25
IAS-Vikas-Anand-resized
IAS Officer Vikas Anand Repatriated to Join Delhi CM’s Office, Know More About Him
Dr
Centre Abruptly Terminates Dr. Krishnamurthy Subramanian’s Tenure as India’s ED to IMF
Oriental Insurance OICL
Sanjay Joshi Recommended as CMD of Oriental Insurance Company by FSIB
Gujarat-government resized
17 IAS Officers Transferred in Gujarat, D D Jadeja Appointed MD, Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission; Check Transfer Order Here
IAAS
Partha Sarathi Das Repatriated to Parent Cadre with Extended Cooling-Off; Know more about him
Uttar Pradesh Police (UP)_resized
UP: 4 PPS Officers Reshuffled in Sambhal; Anuj Chaudhary Shifted to Chandausi, Alok Kumar Appointed CO City
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IMG-20250429-WA0019
How Mission IAS is Transforming Dreams of Underprivileged UPSC Aspirants
Aakash Garg
Computer Engineer Aakash Garg Takes AIR-5 in UPSC CSE 2024 Through Sheer Discipline And Hard Work | Exclusive
Sandeep M Tamgadge
How IPS Sandeep M Tamgadge’s Journey Can Guide Your UPSC Preparation
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
Shruti Maloo UPSC
From Reserve List to AIR 534: How Maharashtra's Shruti Maloo Reached the Interview Stage in All Her UPSC Attempts
Shruti Maloo’s UPSC journey is a story of perseverance, strategy, and resilience. After three attempts,...
Abhi-jain-IAS-story-2025-04-7912a774cc9e0c21ed0d6dfdc092c74d
A Farmer's Son, A Nation's Servant: Abhi Jain, AIR 34 in UPSC CSE 2024
Farmer’s son Abhi Jain cracked UPSC in his fifth attempt, securing AIR 34 without coaching—balancing...
WhatsApp Image 2025-05-03 at 15.43
Daughter of an Anganwadi Worker, Father Lost at 4 - Shivani Panchal Secures AIR-53 in UPSC
Raised by an anganwadi worker after losing her father at 4, Shivani Panchal from Bhodwal Majri cracked...
Social Media
Shakti Dubey AIR 1
UPSC Rank 1 Shakti Dubey's Success Sparks Debate on Civil Services Examination System, Ex-IPS Officer Raises Questions
Shakti Dubey’s UPSC Rank 1 success has sparked debate after ex-IPS officer Yashovardhan Azad questioned...
IAS Pulkit Garg
Central Jail Road Transforms into a Vibrant People-Centric Street in Varanasi
This road has been given a soul, the soul of a musical path, adorned with pink enamel folk art and every...
Rajan Singh Ex-IPS
Ex-IPS Officer Rajan Singh Shares Powerful Insight on Influence through Action
Mr. Rajan Singh is an ex-IPS officer of the 1997-batch (Kerala cadre) and founder of HabitStrong Org...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
Shruti Maloo UPSC
From Reserve List to AIR 534: How Maharashtra's Shruti Maloo Reached the Interview Stage in All Her UPSC Attempts
Calcutta HC
Calcutta High Court Issues Contempt Notice Against IPS Officer Vishal Garg and 6 Others
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
IMG-20250429-WA0019
Aakash Garg
Sandeep M Tamgadge
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT