What is Karnataka HC's Stance on Child Begging and Rs 7,093cr Cess?
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Synopsis
The Karnataka High Court has raised alarming questions regarding child begging in the state and the utilization of Rs 7,093 crore collected as beggary cess over the last four years. The court's inquiries aim to shed light on the ongoing issue and ensure accountability in the expenditure of these funds.
Key Takeaways
- Karnataka HC is demanding accountability regarding the beggary cess funds.
- The issue of child begging remains critical in the state.
- Over Rs 3,639 crore remains untransferred from local bodies.
- The court is considering collaboration with KSLSA for further investigation.
- Transparency in fund utilization is paramount for addressing child begging.
Bengaluru, Oct 27 (NationPress) The Karnataka High Court on Monday raised significant alarms regarding the ongoing issue of child begging in the state. The court demanded clarity on the allocation of Rs 7,093 crore that has been collected as beggary cess over the last four years. A bench comprising Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice C.M. Poonacha issued these directives while addressing a petition from an NGO. They highlighted that the existing records pose critical questions about the use of the funds. “Clearly, if Rs 3,000 crore has been retained for four years while children continue to beg on the streets, something is profoundly wrong,” the bench remarked.
The court instructed the state government and the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority (KSLSA) to prepare a comprehensive report detailing the expenditure of the cess and the status of remaining funds within eight weeks. The court also inquired about the measures taken to collect outstanding amounts from local bodies.
During the proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel, Puttige R. Ramesh, revealed that according to an affidavit by the Director of the Directorate of Municipal Administration, the state garnered Rs 7,093.50 crore in beggary cess from 2021–22 to 2024–25. Of this, Rs 3,453 crore has already been spent, while Rs 3,639 crore remains untransferred by local bodies. He emphasized that despite this substantial expenditure, child begging persists.
The government counsel indicated that local bodies have yet to remit the outstanding amounts, stating, “Notices have been issued to them, and additional funds have been allocated to the Department of Women and Child Welfare.”
The bench pointed out that the affidavit failed to adequately clarify the utilization of the Rs 3,453.86 crore that had been spent, noting that Rs 3,639.64 crore has not been deposited into the appropriate accounts or utilized through recognized channels.
The court expressed its intention to possibly direct KSLSA to collaborate with the state government in gathering and validating data on this issue, instructing the government to fully cooperate and provide all necessary information.
Point of View
It is crucial to highlight that the Karnataka High Court's scrutiny of the Rs 7,093 crore beggary cess raises important questions about governance and resource allocation. This situation demands immediate attention and action to protect vulnerable children and ensure that funds are directed toward effective solutions.
NationPress
29/10/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the beggary cess collected in Karnataka?
The beggary cess in Karnataka amounts to Rs 7,093 crore collected over the past four years.
How much of the beggary cess has been spent?
Out of the Rs 7,093 crore collected, Rs 3,453 crore has been utilized.
What is the Karnataka High Court's concern?
The court is concerned about the ongoing issue of child begging and the lack of transparency regarding the use of funds.
What actions did the court take?
The court directed the state government and KSLSA to provide a detailed report on the cess expenditure within eight weeks.
Why is child begging still prevalent?
Despite significant expenditures, child begging continues due to inadequate utilization of resources and lack of accountability.
