ABHIPRAAY WELFARE SOCIETY Vs. GOVERNMENT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This writ petition is filed by Abhipraay Welfare Society (for brevity 'the Society') for issuance of a Writ or Order, one in the nature of Writ of Mandamus, declaring the action of the respondents in not taking any steps for eradication of the menace of begging, though the State Legislature has enacted A.P. Prevention of Begging Act, 1977 (for brevity 'the Act').

(2.) The petitioner in the writ petition has identified certain areas where beggars are found. The reasons for begging have been set out in para 5 of the writ-affidavit. In the counter-affidavit, the respondent-State, while admitting the averments made in the writ affidavit stated that 'the Government is alive to this type of problem and is endeavouring to devise ways and means of implementing all the laudable objects of the statute'. Since no statement was made as to what ways and means are being devised by the Government for implementing the laudable objects of the statute, the learned Advocate General sought permission to file supplemental counter-affidavit. Pursuant thereto, a supplemental affidavit has been filed on behalf of the respondents, and in paras 4 and 5, the steps taken by the Government are stated.

(3.) The Act is a beneficial piece of legislation. It intends to eradicate the longstanding social evil of begging, which people take recourse to by way of last resort.