Relentless efforts to protect childhood
Up to Five Years Imprisonment for Exploiting Children in Begging
Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh, January 2-
Efforts to protect children from begging are ongoing, aimed at ensuring their safety and preserving their childhood. cabinet minister Dr. Baljit Kaur, stated that the Punjab Govt, led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, is committed to the welfare and safety of children.
The Minister revealed that during 2024, the department conducted 713 raids aimed at preventing child begging rescuing 261 children. Most children were rescued from districts Bathinda, Faridkot, Ludhiana and Gurdaspur.
Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that under Section 76 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, any individual forcing a child into begging can face up to five years imprisonment and a fine of ₹1 lakh. If bodily harm is inflicted to compel the child into begging, the offender can be sentenced to 10 years imprisonment and fined ₹5 lakh.
She further stated that the Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act, 1971, considers individuals below 16 years as children. According to this Act, anyone involving children in begging can face a sentence of three years, which can not less than one year.