Bhubaneswar, Feb 14: The Odisha government has so far identified as many as 5,318 beggars across various districts and is implementing the ‘Sahaya’ scheme to help them become self-employed, Minister Nityananda Gond told the Assembly during the ongoing budget session on Friday.

In a written reply, Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities Minister, Nityananda Gond said, "Out of 5,318 beggars identified in the state, Cuttack tops the list with 1,060."

Additionally, there are 595 beggars in Bargarh district, followed by 545 in Ganjam, 482 in Ganjam, Sundargarh (417) Puri (350), Kalahandi (237) and 205 in Angul district, among others, he added.

Minister Gond further said the government has opened rehabilitation centres in different places and taken many other initiatives to rehabilitate beggars under the ‘Sahaya’ scheme.

For the socio-economic development of beggars and their family members, the state government is providing scholarships, skill development training, inclusion in self-help groups (SHGs) and money for the marriage of their daughters under the scheme, he added.

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