DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government, led by Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, is firmly committed to the protection of children and is adopting a sensitive yet stringent approach to eliminate the grave social evil of child begging. In a major step in this direction, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur announced that amendments will be made to the Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act (1971). These amendments will introduce stricter punishments and heavy penalties against racketeers, guardians, or parents found forcing children to beg at traffic lights and public intersections.

Sharing further details, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the Punjab Government, in coordination with the police and district administrations, has decided to form special teams to identify and act against those operating child begging rackets in cities and towns across the state. These teams will rescue children and provide them with proper medical care, education, and shelter under various government schemes aimed at their rehabilitation.

The Cabinet Minister has directed officials that if any person, parent, or guardian is caught forcing a child to beg, strict legal action will be taken against them under the Juvenile Justice Act, and such individuals will face severe punishment. Dr. Baljit Kaur informed that since July 2024, 'Project Jeevanjot' has been running under the Juvenile Justice Act across all districts of the state, under which 286 children have been rescued so far. These rescued children are being provided with comprehensive care, safety, and welfare services.

Further elaborating, the Minister said that within this year, a pilot project titled 'Project Smile' will be launched in five major cities of Punjab ? Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana, SAS Nagar, and Bathinda. Under this initiative, street and market-dwelling child beggars will be identified, and their DNA tests will be conducted to ascertain their family ties, enabling authorities to check incidents of child trafficking and human trade. The Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister has also issued directions to all Deputy Commissioners to declare their respective districts as 'Beggar-Free' and ensure regular monitoring in this regard.

(editor@dailyworld.in)