Beggars in Mumbai earn Rs 180 crore a year, the state legislative council was informed Wednesday.

Stating this in the House, Minister of State for Social Justice Dharmaraobaba Atram said amendments will be made in existing rules to curb the activities of beggars.

Vilas Awchat (Shiv Sena), who raised the issue through a short discussion, said according to the provisions of a legislation enacted in 1959 to curb begging, those who sought relief for people affected by disasters could also be prosecuted. Once this flaw was noticed, necessary amendments were made, he said.

The number of beggars in Mumbai, which was 20,000 in 1963, rose to three lakh in 2004, he said.