6390 beggars identified in Odisha: Minister

Bhubaneswar: A total of 6390 beggars have been identified in Odisha while Cuttack district has topped the list with 1060 beggars, said a minister on Saturday.

Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Minister Ashok Chandra Panda told the Assembly that a total of 6,390 beggars have been identified in Odisha.

Cuttack district is followed by Balangir (708), Mayurbhanj (485) and Ganjam (458).

Of the total number of beggars, Puri district registers 120, Balasore 131, Bhadrak 220, Angul 97, Dhenkanal 97, Jagatsinghpur 53, Jajpur 196, Jharsuguda 41, Kalahandi 214, Kandhamal 117, Malkangiri 21, Kendrapara 22, Keonjhar 135, Khordha 53 and Boudh 19 beggars in the state.

Deogarh falls at the bottom of the list with 16 beggars, the minister said.