Beggars galore at several railway stations in Bhojpur

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : Beggars including girls and women can easily be seen begging at Koelwar, Kulharia, Ara, Karisath, Bihia, Raghunathpur and Banahi railway stations in Bhojpur district, and Dumraon and Buxar railway stations in Buxar district under Danapur  division of East Central Railways (ECR), Hajipur.

They also beg inside the train bogies but neither the TTE nor GRP or RPF take action against them even as under the Railways Act says asking for money in any forms or begging at the railway platforms or in the trains is illegal. Such beggars allegedly have their syndicate and platforms, trains and timing are fixed for each beggar and a part of their earning goes to their leader. A beggar reportedly earns Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 a day.

In addition to this, vendors at the railway stations and in the trains charge excess amount from the passengers and if anyone dares complain, these vendors turn hostile. Railway has released rate chart of very item including veg and non-veg meal still the passengers are virtually being looted. PRO Danapur Division, R K Singh said that the railway has fixed rates of all the items and meals of every variety and if any stall or vendor charges excess amount, his license would be cancelled.