Godavari Pushkaram proves to be `Ache Din’ for beggers

Rajahmundry: If anybody who is enjoying “Ache din’ in the country, it has to be the beggars in and around the Godavari district.

The Andhra Pradesh government has announced incentives for beggars who steer clear of Pushkaram ghats. Those who comply would be rewarded.

According to a statement, the government would give a purse of Rs. 10,000 with other benefits to each beggar who stays off Pushkaram ghats.

Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister P Narayan who is also the chairman of the Godavari Pushkaram Organising Committee said on Thursday that the government has come up with such schemes to keep the 12-day event beggar-free which marks its end on July 25.

The main objective of the scheme was to help the devotees to have a hassle free time at Pushkaram and to ensure it goes on smoothly, the minister said and added that the government was ready to compensate the beggars for their loss of income.

The beggars are on cloud nine as the government besides gifting apiece Rs.10.000, has guaranteed white ration cards to each beggar in order to make them eligible for NTR- Barossa and pension schemes.

Around 200 beggars have been recognized by the officials as beneficiaries of the scheme within the city of Rajahmundry, Mr. Narayan informed.

If sources are to be believed, the city is home to around 3000 beggars.