New Delhi, Nov 9 (IANS) The Delhi government Monday informed the Delhi High Court that it is willing to change a law that criminalises begging.
Filing an affidavit before a division bench of Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justice S. Muralidhar, counsel Nazmi Waziri said the government is ready to amend the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act.

Waziri also replied to a query of the court on steps taken for education of children of beggars living in shelter homes across the capital. “Among the 72 ladies that are presently living in shelter homes, only three have kids and we are taking proper care of the five children.”

“An art teacher visits the home regularly and teaches them art and craft,” the affidavit stated.

The court was hearing a public interest petition of social activist Harsh Mander, who said that begging should be decriminalised.

“If a person is destitute and begs for living, such a person cannot be treated as a criminal. He cannot be arrested or sentenced,” he said in his petition.

He also challenged the constitutional validity of the Bombay Prevention of Begging Act.

Mander’s counsel informed the court about the US method of tackling the menace, and noted that in that country the beggars are constitutionally protected and are provided all basic facilities needed to live.