DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government's Project JEEVANJYOT 2.0 is making visible strides in transforming the lives of child beggars?shifting them from a life of vulnerability on the streets to a future of education, safety, and self-reliance. This was stated by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.

Providing details, the Minister informed that a total of 245 special rescue raids have been conducted across the state so far, leading to the rescue of 214 child beggars, out of which 106 children have been successfully reunited with their families. These outcomes reflect the Punjab Government's firm commitment to eradicating child begging.

Dr. Kaur said that in the latest round of action, 16 special raids were carried out across 16 districts, during which only 2 children were found begging?one each from Barnala and Sangrur districts. After due verification of documents, both children were safely restored to their families. This, she said, indicates that the mission is moving steadily towards achieving its objective.

The Minister further revealed that identity verification for DNA testing has been completed in the case of 16 rescued children. Of these, documentation has been finalized for 15 children, and DNA samples have already been collected from 13 of them. In addition, FIRs have been registered against parents in four cases?one each in Amritsar and Gurdaspur, and two in Bathinda.

(editor@dailyworld.in)