New Delhi: The Government of Delhi has installed biometric machines at Sewa Kutir Complex— a beggar home—located in Kingsway Camp area of the city to identify repeat offenders.

The machine will also update and consolidate the record of apprehended beggars and maintain a dossier of each arrested beggar.

The step has been taken in view of the beggars often changing their names to hoodwink anti-begging teams by posing as first-time offenders.

With an estimated 60,000 beggars, most of who go about their business at traffic intersections and religious places, the Delhi government on Thursday told the Supreme Court that it was geared to tackle the problem by taking action under the anti-begging law as well as by implementing rehabilitory measures.

Anti-begging squads apprehended 2,537 beggars in 2007, 2,232 in 2008 and 2,681 last year.

The Delhi government told the Supreme Court in an affidavit that it has decided to set up a quick reaction system and a call centre to attend complaints about begging by citizens.

"The Beggary Control Room will be interactive with citizens and other stake-holders through toll-free phone numbers so that anyone can have an easy access for the purpose of information, complaint, suggestions in respect of beggary related matters," it said.