BHUBANESWAR: If the state government has its way, beggars may become choosers. The government has asked all district collectors to conduct a survey on beggars and prepare action plans to include them in a proposed scheme that envisages their rehabilitation and social security.TOI possesses an official letter sent by Niten Chandra , secretary of state social security and empowerment of persons with disabilities department on Monday, to district collectors. Chandra asked the collectors to begin the process of identifying beggars from temples where they flock in large numbers. The state government sets April 30 deadline for district collectors to submit rehabilitation plans. The best rehabilitation plan may fetch award, the letter said."The rehabilitation plan of beggars will include homestead land, houses, insurance coverage, Aadhar card , ration card, healthcare, developing skill living by restoring their psychological strength, confidence and giving them training for vocational skills for wage or self-employment," the letter said.The government has plans for elderly and female beggars. "Elderly beggars will be immediately shifted to old age home. Female beggars can be accommodated in short stay homes. Lepers should be accommodated in houses built under different ongoing government programmes," the letter added.The proposed welfare scheme offers education and scholarship facilities for the children of the beggars. "At least 25 beggars in each district will be awarded if they achieve complete self-transformation physically, skilfully and socially. The awards will be conferred either on Independence Day or Republic Day ," the letter said.According to Census 2011 , Odisha has total 6550 beggars (3850 male and 2700 female), which is second highest in the country after West Bengal's 13,728. Odisha has more beggars than that in Uttar Pradesh (6003) and Bihar (5276), the Census report said. "We want a fresh survey and identification of individual and families, who beg," a senior officer said."I thought nobody cares for beggars. I felt good that the government wants to float welfare schemes for us. Let's wait," said Arjuna Bhoi, a beggar outside Ram Mandir.Leader of opposition Narasingha Mishra on March 16 raised the plight of beggars in the assembly and demanded government's action to check begging by women near traffic signals in city with kids in arms. "Commuters often come across underprivileged women begging on busy traffic junctions. It is unfortunate. Women beggars are more visible on the road from Biju Patnaik International Airport to state secretariat, which is widely used by VIPs. If people have to beg after 70 years after India became a free country, the independence has got no meaning," Mishra said.

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