Punjab Government orders DNA testing on child beggars with adults to verify relationship
Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur issued the orders. If a child is found begging with an adult, a DNA test will be conducted to verify their family ties. Until the results are made available, the child will stay in a child care institution under the supervision of child welfare committees.
Officials assured strict action if the DNA test confirms that the adult is not related to the child they are accompanying. The directions were issued to all DCs by the Directorate of Social Security (Women and Child Development) under the project Jeewanjyot-2.
An official highlighted that the child welfare committees in districts will identify such cases where it appears that a child is being forced to beg alongside an adult and their relationship seems suspicious.
The cases will then be referred to the Deputy Commissioners, who will recommend conducting the test. Last month, Ms. Kaur had issued directions to all DCs to declare their respective districts as 'beggar-free' and ensure regular monitoring in this regard.
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She emphasised that the State Government was firmly committed to the protection of children and was adopting a sensitive yet stringent approach to eliminate child begging.
Additionally, she announced that amendments would be made to the Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act (1971), aimed at introducing stricter punishments and heavy penalties against racketeers, guardians, or parents found forcing children to beg at traffic lights and public intersections.
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The Print
2 days ago
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21 child beggars rescued from Punjab's Ludhiana, SBS Nagar: Minister
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2 days ago
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Chandigarh, Jul 20 (PTI) A total of 21 child beggars have been rescued from Ludhiana and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar districts, Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur said on Sunday. She said the state government is carrying out a vigorous campaign to make Punjab free from begging. The district child protection teams of the department conducted special raids at the bus stands, railway stations, and other locations in Ludhiana, rescuing 18 children, while three more children were rescued from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, she added. Kaur said all rescued children have been presented before the child welfare committees and are currently kept safely in children's homes, according to a statement. If investigations reveal that any person forced these children into begging, strict legal action will be taken against them, she said. The minister further said that if there is any suspicion regarding the identity of the child's parents, the child welfare committees may also initiate DNA testing on the orders of the deputy commissioner to ascertain the true parentage of the children. She emphasised that the primary objective of the state government is to ensure a safe and secure future for every child, adding that continuous raids are being conducted at various locations by district teams under the Jeevanjyot-2 project. She said in order to completely root out the serious issue of child begging from Punjab, the social security department's district welfare teams will continue such raids and checks regularly across all districts, ensuring that no child is ever forced into begging. Kaur appealed to the public to not give alms to any child beggar and urged if any child is seen begging anywhere, people should immediately report the case by calling child helpline 1098. A few days ago, the government issued directions to all deputy commissioners in the state to conduct DNA tests of children found begging along with adults on the streets to find out their relationship and check child begging. The move was aimed to check child trafficking and their exploitation for begging on the streets. PTI CHS OZ OZ view comments First Published: July 20, 2025, 23:45 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Time of India
2 days ago
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