Chandigarh, 2 January 2025: The Punjab government continues to strengthen its efforts to combat child begging, with Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur revealing that 713 raids were conducted in 2024 to rescue children from forced begging. As a result, 261 children were saved, with Bathinda, Faridkot, Ludhiana, and Gurdaspur districts seeing the highest rescue rates.
Dr. Kaur emphasized that anyone compelling a child to beg could face a prison term of up to 5 years and a fine of Rs 1 lakh, under the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015. Those found guilty of mutilating a child for begging may face imprisonment for up to 10 years and a fine of Rs 5 lakh.
She also noted that, according to the Punjab Prevention of Begging Act, 1971, anyone forcing a child under 16 to beg could receive a sentence of one to three years. Efforts are underway to amend the act to further protect children.
A key initiative, the “Jeevanjot Project,” has been launched to ensure children are not exploited for begging. Through this initiative, 15 orphaned children have been placed in children’s homes where they are receiving care, education, and medical support. Other children rescued from begging have been reunited with their families, with 18 benefiting from financial assistance through a sponsorship scheme. Additionally, 105 children have been enrolled in schools and 3 in Anganwadi centers.
The department is closely monitoring these children to ensure they do not return to begging, and ongoing financial support is provided to continue their education. Dr. Kaur revealed that 74% of rescued children are receiving follow-up care.
She called on the public to avoid giving alms to begging children and to report such incidents to the Child Welfare Committee or the District Child Protection Unit.
