Beggars and Panhandlers are a common sight for someone who’s daily traversing through the medium of trains. Kids, Visually challenged singers are some of the common crowd who beg for alms at the station or in a train compartment. This was a pretty common sight for the Indian Railways.
However, coming off as a major disclosure, the Indian Railways repudiated the media reports which claimed that the institution is going to allow begging in trains and stations.
To clarify further speculations, the Railways also issued a statement that clarified that as of now, such a proposal isn’t pending before them.
Contrary to certain media reports, there is no proposal to allow begging in trains or stations.
— Spokesperson Railways (@SpokespersonIR) September 6, 2020
Reports had claimed that the department had moved a proposal to decriminalize begging at railway stations and trains under Railway Act 1989 as it was seldom invoked. The proposal was reportedly aimed at not allowing begging in any station or trains without penalty. As per India’s Railway Act’s Section 144 – if a person is found begging in a train or at a railway station they could face imprisonment up to one year and/or a fine up to Rs 2000.
Apart from decriminalizing begging, reports also stated that Railways had planned to remove the prohibition on smoking in a train compartment and instead levy a spot fine of up to Rs 100. Moreover, Railways had also proposed to do away with imprisonment for minor offenses like traveling without tickets and riding on footboards, instead of only levying penalties. These proposed amendments were allegedly a part of the Centre’s move to remove and amend redundant or outdated laws.
All these false claims were rebuffed by the Railways by its official spokesperson through the Twitter handle which stated,” Contrary to certain media reports there is no proposal to
allow begging in trains or stations”.
