CM Mann’s government cracks down on child begging, enrolls rescued children in schools and provides health, nutrition, and financial support.
The Punjab government, under Chief Minister Mann, is taking strong and sustained steps to eliminate child begging from the state. A strict zero-tolerance policy has been enforced against those who force children into begging, and targeted, goal-driven campaigns have been launched. This was stated by Dr. Baljit Kaur, Minister of Social Security, Women, and Child Development.
Dr. Baljit Kaur described the current operation in detail, saying that raids were carried out at designated hotspots in all districts during a special statewide अभियान that was held over the course of the last two days. 31 kids who were discovered begging were consequently securely saved. The Child Welfare Committee immediately turned over four children to their parents after document verification, while 27 youngsters were temporarily placed in daycare centers. After thorough verification, more action will be taken.
According to the Cabinet Minister, 1,023 children have been saved from child begging throughout the state as a result of Project Jeevanjyot 2.0. The rescued youngsters are being connected to a number of government welfare programs with an eye on their holistic development and safe future. 38 children have benefited from the sponsorship program thus far, providing their families with financial support.
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In order to integrate them into the regular educational system, 349 youngsters have also been enrolled in schools. Thirteen children have received health facilities under the Ayushman Bharat initiative, while nine children have been connected to Anganwadi centers to guarantee nutrition and early childhood care.
Dr. Baljit Kaur added that in order to assist them progress toward a respectable and safe future, children living in child care facilities receive education, food, medical attention, and other necessities. The prevalence of child begging has been steadily declining throughout Punjab as a result of these persistent efforts.
She reaffirmed that anyone discovered coercing youngsters into begging will face severe legal repercussions in compliance with the law. Since it fosters kid begging, the Minister urged the public to abstain from providing alms to homeless youngsters. In order to guarantee every child a secure, respectable, and better future, she urged the public to notify the Child Helpline 1098, the district Child Welfare Committee, or other relevant authorities right away if they witness a child begging.