NISD, MoSJE-Sponsored Training Programme on beggary elimination inaugurated at JU
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU : The Department of Home Science (Human Development), University of Jammu (JU), is organizing the Second Two-Day Capacity-Building Training Programme on “Convergence of Programmes for the Elimination of Beggary,” sponsored by the National Institute of Social Defence (NISD), Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE), Government of India, on 21st and 22nd February 2026.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Mohd. Haseeb Mughal, DIG Traffic, Jammu, who emphasized that beggary is a serious and multidimensional social issue often underestimated in policy and public discourse. He highlighted that reliance solely on legal enforcement has not yielded sustainable results and called for a humane, rehabilitation-oriented, and coordinated approach involving law enforcement agencies, social welfare departments, NGOs, and community institutions.
Dr. Mughal stressed the need for reliable data, targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, strict action against trafficking networks, and the establishment of a dedicated helpline to assist individuals willing to disengage from beggary. He also underlined the importance of medical support, counselling, skill development, shelter homes, and livelihood opportunities to ensure dignified reintegration into society.
In her welcome address, Prof. Sarika Manhas, Head of the Department, emphasized the critical importance of institutional convergence in addressing beggary as a complex developmental and social concern. Highlighting that this is the second such initiative organized by the Department, she stated that the deliberations aim to strengthen inter-departmental coordination, clarify institutional roles, and develop actionable, region-specific strategies. She further informed that the recommendations emerging from both workshops are being consolidated and will be formally shared with the Ministry for policy-level consideration and follow-up.
The inaugural session was followed by technical deliberations featuring Dr. Hema Gandrotra, Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Jammu, who spoke on “Beggary and Social Stigma: The Problem of Identity and Labelling”; Pardeep Dutta, Consulting Editor, NDTV, who addressed “Role of Media in Addressing Beggary: Representation, Ethics and Social Responsibility”; and Dr. Sapna Bansal, Associate Professor, School of Law, Forensic Justice & Policy Studies, National Forensic Sciences University, New Delhi, who delivered a session on “Legal Frameworks Governing Beggary – Constitutional Mandates, Judicial Trends and Policy Reform.”
The concluding remarks on Day One were presented by Dr. Nitan Sharma, Assistant Professor, The Law School, JU.
Prominent among those who attended the training programme were SSP M.R. Giri, Dy. SP Sunniya Wani, Dy. SP Ramesh Kataria, Shivani Sawhney, Dr. Arpana Rajput (PSPS Government PG College for Women, Gandhi Nagar), Dr. Sanya Khan (Mission Shakti, Doda), and Dr. Kanika Gupta (GDC Samba).
