Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur said the state government has intensified its campaign under Project ‘Jeevanjot’ to eliminate child begging and ensure safety, education and dignity for children across Punjab.
She said the Punjab government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, is firmly committed to protecting children from begging, exploitation and unsafe conditions and providing them with opportunities for education and a secure future.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said district-level task forces are implementing Project ‘Jeevanjot’ effectively across the state. During the special campaign launched in recent days, 82 raids were conducted at 195 identified hotspots at different times during the day and evening.
During these operations, 39 children were rescued from child begging and produced before the concerned Child Welfare Committees. Following verification of documents and family identities, 27 children were handed over to their parents, while the remaining 12 children have been kept safely in child care homes.
Minister said the remaining children would be handed over to their families only after proper verification of their relationship with the concerned families, ensuring that their safety and best interests remain the priority.
She added that immediate rehabilitation measures have also been initiated to bring the rescued children back into the mainstream. The school admission process has been initiated for six children, while efforts are underway to connect another six children with Anganwadi centres, enabling them to benefit from nutrition, early education and overall development.
The highest number of children were rescued from Tarn Taran, where 10 children were rescued, followed by Amritsar with nine, Ludhiana with seven and SAS Nagar with five.
Dr. Baljit Kaur said the government would continue to strengthen enforcement, rescue and rehabilitation efforts under Project ‘Jeevanjot’ to eradicate child begging and safeguard the rights and future of vulnerable children.
