Click to play videoNew Delhi: Did you know it is an offence to give money to beggars at traffic intersections?
When a beggar at a signal makes you look for a coin in your wallet at the red light, a traffic policeman can actually prosecute you.
Giving alms to beggars, buying a magazine from a vendor at a traffic intersections all amount to violating the law. But if you didn't know about it, it's not really your fault.
"We remove the beggars and the vendors. We don't challan the people,” says DCP, H P S Virk.
In September 2002, the Delhi traffic police passed an ordinance to supplement existing anti-beggary laws.
The ordinance says that motorists should not encourage any activity that disturbs the traffic flow or becomes a safety issue on the streets, especially at traffic junctions.
So, under section 177 of the Motor Vehicles Act, you can be fined Rs 600 if you stopped to give alms. The Act says: 'No motorist shall encourage or indulge in any activity detrimental to traffic flows or safety of road users - specifically at signalised traffic road junctions and up to a distance of 100 meters on each approaching arm from the centre of the junction.'
But motorists are hardly ever prosecuted. Is that good news for beggars?
Some people give money, some don’t. We beg because of necessity,” says a beggar.
A recent survey says Delhi has close to 60,000 beggars. But the government hopes to have a beggar-free capital by the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Giving a rupee could cost you Rs 600. But if don't, will it stop beggary?
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