The Gujarat government on Thursday kicked off a drive to rehabilitate beggars and destitute people in eight major cities of the state. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Manisha Vakil held a meeting with stakeholders for effective implementation of the drive that began from Vadodara, an official said. “We are launching this drive to rehabilitate beggars from Vadodara. Our aim is to cover all eight major cities of Gujarat. First, we have to identify beggars and bring them to shelter homes. Shelter homes will have to take care of them till they become capable of starting a new life and stand on their feet," Vakil told reporters.  Beggars and destitute people will be given a unique identification number, linked with their Aadhaar cards, so that they can be identified and sent back to their hometowns if they are caught begging again, Vakil said. 

The Gujarat government on Thursday kicked off a drive to rehabilitate beggars and destitute people in eight major cities of the state. Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Manisha Vakil held a meeting with stakeholders for effective implementation of the drive that began from Vadodara, an official said. “We are launching this drive to rehabilitate beggars from Vadodara. Our aim is to cover all eight major cities of Gujarat. First, we have to identify beggars and bring them to shelter homes. Shelter homes will have to take care of them till they become capable of starting a new life and stand on their feet," Vakil told reporters.  Beggars and destitute people will be given a unique identification number, linked with their Aadhaar cards, so that they can be identified and sent back to their hometowns if they are caught begging again, Vakil said.