November 03, 2011. Beggars outside footpath at IIM Ahmedabad While IIM brings out year after year management graduates, who are well paid in India and abroad, people living on footpath outside institute, which has tea stalls and other hawkers, live a poor life. Photo Bhadresh Gajjar
the gesture could soon become a punishable offence and invite strict action as it goes against authorities’ aim to make Ahmedabad a beggar-free city by 2030, the year when the city hosts the Commonwealth Games Although altruistic. On April 9, 2026, AMC added beggar rescue calls to its helpline 155303 to allow citizens to report homeless individuals. This was a first for Gujarat, and 39 calls have been received so far and 732 beggars have been rescued from various parts of the city.
A civic official said authorities are deciding the penalty and punishment for giving alms. Ahmedabad: Giving alms to a beggar? You may want to think again. The long-term plan is to rescue homeless people and beggars from the streets and impart vocational training to them. This programme is being implemented jointly by city police, social security department and AMC. “The police and social security department hold the primary role here. The first phase focuses on rescue; the second involves providing shelter and livelihood training, and the third phase will focus on creating awareness among citizens giving alms and taking action against them,” he added.