World | India
Inflation leaves Delhi's beggars no choice
Mendicants making do near the city's traffic intersections are suddenly finding motorists reluctant to part with the small change.
- IANS
- Published: 00:02 July 7, 2008
New Delhi: Beggars are beginning to feel the pinch in the capital and they reckon skyrocketing inflation is to blame.
Mendicants making do near the city's traffic intersections are suddenly finding motorists reluctant to part with the small change.
"Six months ago, I used to make Rs70-Rs80 (Dh6-Dh6.8) every day. Now things have changed. If I get Rs50, I am happy," said Santosh, whose operates near Connaught Place.
"Everything is costly. A thin flat bread costs Rs2. Nobody wants to cough up money for us," he says.
He is not sure of his age, but nods when told that he could be 18 to 20. Though not handicapped, his fragile body makes him fit for begging on the city's streets.
Shivram, 20, who seeks alms at the Karkardooma traffic intersection in east Delhi, concurs that beggary no longer guarantees sustainable livelihood.
"I just make some money to meet both ends meet. That's all," he says.
Ratan Lal drives a three-wheeler to earn his livelihood. After paying the vehicle owner Rs250 each day, he is left with Rs200 to Rs250 on an average.
Rising costs
"A year back - when a kilogram of flour used to cost Rs7-8 as against Rs16-18, earning Rs250 was considered decent. Now, with prices of food stuff having risen almost 100 per cent, earnings are still static," says Lal, a resident of Kalyanpuri in east Delhi.
Even with comparatively better incomes than last year, he said, people like him have been winded by inflation-driven expenses.
Dharma Rao, a middle-rung government employee, has drastically cut his expenses on clothing, outings and accessories to balance his house budget.
"My income is fixed. I have rationalised expenses to generate extra Rs1,500 to Rs2,000 per month to meet essential requirements. Inflation has played havoc with my budget," he said.
Rao does not buy the government's argument that the current bout of inflation is driven by high prices of crude oil and therefore not controllable.
Mismanagement
"It is more a mismanagement of the economy than anything else. Retailers are fleecing the customers. Goods are being sold at maximum retail prices. The government must look into this aspect," he said.
The finance ministry said in a statement on Friday that high inflation, which touched 11.63 per cent for the week ended June 21, was being driven by high crude oil prices.
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