Is begging still banned?

There seems to be no takers for the government orders regarding the ban imposed on begging at public and religious places in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. The failure of the administration in ensuring the adherence to the government orders is turning the situation for the passerby at many markets as ugly. The beggars, especially non-locals, are forcing the pedestrians or commuters to pay some bucks and don’t even allow them to move until they get something from them. Earlier, the district administration imposed a ban on begging at public and religious places in Srinagar and directed police to arrest the offenders. The order, issued by the then Deputy Commissioner of Srinagar, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, said Srinagar being the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir holds a great importance in the socio-economic landscape of the state and so it is contingent upon the administration to take all measures necessary to make the district more citizen friendly and prevent public nuisance at all costs. Begging being an offence under the Act (Jammu and Kashmir Prevention of Beggary Act I960), it is imperative that strict necessary action under law be initiated against the offenders, the order stated. Nonetheless, the begging at public places including markets, petrol pumps and other places is not being stopped at all, thus leaving the pedestrians annoyed. There is a need to follow the directives in letter and spirit and ensure that the begging is not allowed, especially at public places so that the passerby could heave a sigh of relief.