To ensure the effective implementation of Mission Jeevanjyot 2.0, launched by the Punjab Government, DC Amarpreet Kaur Sandhu held a meeting with officials of concerned departments today at Fazilka.
She emphasized that teams should be constituted at the district level to take strict action against child begging, and wherever necessary, DNA tests of children should be conducted to ensure that no child is being forced into begging by any gang through kidnapping or illegal means.
The Deputy Commissioner stated that as per the law, any person found forcing children into begging may face imprisonment of up to 5 years and a fine of up to ₹1 lakh. Similarly, those supplying intoxicating substances to children may face up to 7 years of imprisonment and a fine, while persons involved in child trafficking can be punished with 10 years to life imprisonment along with monetary penalties.
She further directed that whenever a child engaged in begging is rescued by a team, the child must be produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), which will take further action under the Juvenile Justice Act. The Education Department has also been asked to closely monitor students who remain absent from school for long durations, and investigate their situation to ensure they are not victims of exploitation.
The meeting was attended by District Child Welfare Committee Chairperson Naveen Jasuja, District Programme Officer avdeep Kaur, DCPO Reetu Bala, Deputy Medical Commissioner Dr. Eric, District Education Officer Ajay Sharma, Deputy District Education Officer Parvinder Singh, and Police Department representative Veena Rani.