Andhra Pradesh Amends Prevention of Begging Act

The Government of Andhra Pradesh has ordered the publication of The Andhra Pradesh Prevention of Begging (Amendment) Act, 2025, which received the Governor's assent on October 15, 2025. This legislative instrument, designated as Andhra Pradesh Act No. 23 of 2025, came into force upon its first publication in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette on October 27, 2025. The amendment Act is slated for publication in English, Telugu, and Urdu languages, making its provisions accessible across the state. While the full text of the amendment Act itself was not provided in the publication order, its enactment signifies a modification to the existing legal framework concerning the prevention of begging within Andhra Pradesh. The order for publication was issued by the Law (I) Department under G.O.MS.No. 58, dated October 27, 2025, and signed by GOTTAPU PRATIBHA DEVI, Secretary to Government, Legal and Legislative Affairs & Justice. The legislation provided: “The Andhra Pradesh Prevention of Begging (Amendment) Act, 2025 will be published in the Andhra Pradesh Gazette in English, Telugu and Urdu Languages as Andhra Pradesh Act No. 23 of 2025.”

This amendment builds upon the foundational Andhra Pradesh Prevention of Begging Act, aiming to address contemporary issues or perceived gaps within the earlier statutory framework. Although the specific details regarding the legislative intent and policy rationale behind the 2025 amendment are not explicitly detailed in the publication order, such amendments typically arise from a need to update definitions, strengthen enforcement mechanisms, introduce new rehabilitation measures, or refine the scope of the original Act. The original Act established a legal structure for dealing with begging, often involving the apprehension, detention, and rehabilitation of individuals found begging. The current amendment suggests a legislative review of this existing position, potentially introducing new rights, obligations, or enforcement procedures for authorities such as the Social Welfare Department, which is among the entities notified of the Act's publication. The precise nature of the changes, including any repealed provisions, substituted sections, or new statutory timelines, will become clear upon the full publication of the Act's text.

Keywords: Andhra Pradesh, Prevention of Begging, Amendment Act, 2025, State Legislature, Gazette, Law, Social Welfare Geo Tags: India, Andhra Pradesh District: Not Applicable