Chandigarh, April 3, 2025 –
The first meeting of the District Level Committee, ARPAN (Action for Rehabilitation and Proactive Assistance to Needy Persons Engaged in Begging), was convened today under the Chairpersonship of Sh. Amandeep Singh Bhatti, Additional Deputy Commissioner, U.T., Chandigarh. The newly constituted committee by the Department of Social Welfare, Women & Child Development (WCD), aims to address issues related to beggary and ensure the rehabilitation of individuals engaged in begging.
‘ARPAN’ serves as the central coordinating authority for anti-beggary efforts in the district. It is responsible for facilitating interdepartmental collaboration, monitoring progress, addressing challenges, maintaining a centralized database of cases, ensuring transparency through regular reporting, promoting public awareness campaigns, optimizing resource allocation, and recommending policy enhancements to strengthen rehabilitation initiatives.
The inaugural meeting witnessed active participation from various stakeholders, including the Police Department, Labour Department, NGO UMMEED, UTCPS, DCPU, representatives from the education sector, AHTU, market associations, and resident welfare associations. The members engaged in a comprehensive discussion on effective strategies to tackle the issue of beggary and shared valuable suggestions.
During the meeting, the Police Department and other concerned departments briefed the Chair on their ongoing efforts to curb beggary and highlighted the challenges faced in the process. The discussion emphasized the need for a collaborative, multi-sectoral approach to ensure effective implementation of rehabilitation measures.
The committee reaffirmed its commitment to addressing beggary through coordinated interventions and community participation, paving the way for a more structured and sustainable resolution to the issue.