As a part of a drive to make Udaipur beggar free, a group of volunteers have begun to provide counseling to beggars situated across the city. The drive is the joint initiative of the Udaipur District Administration, Civil Jurisdiction Department and Local NGOs.

People of the area, including residents and shopkeepers, were also contacted by the volunteers and requested not to encourage begging.

According to Shailendra Pandya, joint director of the nodal organization Gayatri Seva Sasnthan, a large number of beggars have decided to discontinue begging and will opt for learning skilled profession. An old age female beggar has decided to stay in an Old Age Home.

The team of volunteers will keep an eye on the beggar’s activities for next few days.