THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: There appears no redemption in sight for Saakshatkaram, the beggar rehabilitation programme of the City Corporation. The desperate search by the local body for a spacious and better equipped place to shift its centre, which is presently functioning at Kothalam Road, Fort, has borne no fruit. At present, more than 50 inmates are trying to find their space in the small and old building, which yells for some air.The latest: The Corporation is looking for a building that could fit their purpose from among the ones that would come to its possession with the amalgamation of Panchayats to Corporation. Which means, the idea is to remove the centre to the suburbs."We might zero in on a new place somewhere in the newly formed wards, but that has not been decided yet. A meeting chaired by the Mayor would be held soon, where we will take an appropriate decision,’’ said Welfare Standing Committee Chairman Palayam Rajan. It was in the initial years of the last Council led by Jayan Babu that the beggar rehabilitation scheme - Saakshatkaram - was launched. Very soon, realising that the Kothalam unit would not help implement any kind of rehabilitation, the Council had set aside a prime plot of land near Kalladimukku in the suburbs to shift the centre. It had planned a centre to give vocational training to the inmates which would enable them to stand on their own feet rather than return to begging. But all that has remained on paper. According to sources, the land for Saakshatkaram has been eyed for various other projects. Though the consecutive budgets of the last Council had showered enough money for the revival of Saakshatkaram, lately the project has found an exit from the budget pages as well. At present, there are more than 47 inmates in the centre. On receiving calls, the team from the centre visits the spot where the beggars are found on the sidewalks and carries them to the centre. However, the inmates are found to be rebellious to the system, making it difficult for the officials. The Corporation then sends the inmates to their respective states. A rehabilitation is the last thing happening.
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