DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, has intensified efforts under the state-wide "Jeevan Jyot" campaign to rescue child beggars from the streets and reintegrate them into mainstream society by ensuring access to education, shelter, and a secure future. This was stated today by the Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development, Dr. Baljit Kaur.

The Minister informed that during 16 special raids conducted today by District Child Protection Units (DCPUs) across 16 districts, 4 children engaged in begging were successfully rescued. These raids were carried out in Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Hoshiarpur, Malerkotla, Moga, Patiala, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar, SBS Nagar, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Tarn Taran districts.

Dr. Kaur mentioned that 2 children each were rescued from Fazilka and Patiala. The two children rescued from Fazilka were handed over to their parents after proper documentation and counselling. The verification process for the remaining two children is still underway.

She added that a total of 192 children have been rescued across Punjab within the first 10 days of the campaign. The Minister issued a stern warning to individuals?including parents and guardians?who force children into begging. She emphasized that strict legal action will be taken against anyone who exploits children or jeopardizes their right to education, safety, and development. Dr. Kaur further explained that any individual, whether a parent or otherwise, found compelling a child to beg may be declared an "unfit guardian" and prosecuted under relevant child protection laws, which carry a punishment ranging from 5 to 20 years of imprisonment.

The Minister reiterated that the Jeevan Jyot Project is not merely aimed at eliminating child begging but is a mission to provide rescued children with quality education, nutritious food, shelter, and a dignified life. She also appealed to the general public not to give alms to child beggars and instead report such incidents immediately to the Child Helpline number 1098.

(editor@dailyworld.in)