Click to play videoBangalore: The beggars in Bangalore have fortune allotted to their welfare. But have any of them even seen a penny of it?
Kumara is one among Bangalore’s 56, 000 beggars. Physically disabled and mentally challenged, he sits at the majestic bus stand everyday to make a living, asking for a rupee or two from passers-by.
But little does Kumara know that as of today, he's worth Rs 56, 000.
The Bruhat Bangalore Mahangar Palike to date owes the city's beggars a whopping Rs 28 crore.
That is the money Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) promised to spend on Kumara and thousands like him. And that is Rs 56, 000 spent on Kumara alone.
Now where's this money supposed to come from?
The BBMP allotted a part of the property tax collected in the city for beggar rehab.
However, the central relief committee alleges that money collected over the years has been used for other purposes.
Off the record, the relief committee officials said the BBMP's paid only rupees one crore so far.
And that's being used to take care of around 700 beggars at this rehab centre to give them primary health care, vocational training and a daily wage of five rupees.
But the centre needs more funds to expand and to take care of more beggars. And the BBMP says help is on the way.
Says Additional Commissioner, Finance, BBMP, Sandeep Dash, “Right now our accounts are under finalisation and we have just published it. Once the audit of BBMP accounts are over, we will certainly release the amounts to the CRC.”
Most beggars in the city just want a peaceful night's sleep without being shooed away. And they would get that when the BMP pays them their due.
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