Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh :
31 Children Rescued During Weekend Drive; Linked to Education and Health Schemes, Public Urged to Call 1098
Under the leadership of CM Mann, the Punjab Government is taking strict and sustained action to eradicate the social evil of child begging from the state. Adopting a zero-tolerance policy against those who force children into begging, the government has launched special, result-oriented drives across Punjab. This was stated by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur.
Providing details of the recent action, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that during a special statewide अभियान conducted over the past two days, raids were carried out at identified hotspots in all districts. As a result, 31 children found begging were safely rescued. After verification of documents, four children were handed over to their parents on the spot by the Child Welfare Committee, while 27 children were temporarily shifted to child care homes. Further action will be taken after due verification.
The Cabinet Minister informed that under Project Jeevanjyot 2.0, a total of 1,023 children have so far been rescued from child begging across the state. Keeping in mind their holistic development and secure future, the rescued children are being linked with various government welfare schemes. So far, 38 children have been provided benefits under the sponsorship scheme, offering financial support to their families.
In addition, 349 children have been enrolled in schools to bring them into the mainstream of education. Nine children have been linked with Anganwadi centres to ensure nutrition and early childhood care, while 13 children have been provided health facilities under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.
Dr. Baljit Kaur further stated that children residing in child care homes are being provided education, nutrition, healthcare and other essential services to help them move towards a dignified and secure future. Due to these sustained efforts, a steady decline in the incidence of child begging has been observed across Punjab.
She reiterated that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found forcing children to beg, in accordance with the law. The Minister appealed to the general public to refrain from giving alms to children on the streets, as it encourages child begging. She urged citizens that if they see any child begging, they should immediately inform the Child Helpline 1098, the district Child Welfare Committee or concerned authorities, so that every child can be ensured a safe, dignified and better future.