In a strong move to protect vulnerable children from trafficking and exploitation, the Punjab government on Thursday has instructed all Deputy Commissioners to conduct DNA tests on children seen begging with adults on the streets to confirm if they are actually related.
According to the orders were issued by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur, if a child is seen begging with an adult, a DNA test will be done to check if they are related. Until the test results come, the child will be kept in a child care home under the care of the child welfare committee.
Officials said strict action will be taken if the DNA test shows the adult is not related to the child they are coming with.
These orders were given to all Deputy Commissioners by the Directorate of Social Security (Women and Child Development) under the Jeewanjyot-2 project.
An official said child welfare committees in each district will look for cases where a child seems to be forced to beg with an adult and their relationship appears suspicious.
These cases will be sent to the Deputy Commissioners, who will decide if a DNA test is needed.
Last month, Kaur told all DCs to declare their districts ‘beggar-free’ and to keep a regular check on the situation.
She said the state government is fully committed to protecting children and is taking a firm but caring approach to stop child begging.
She also said amendments would be made to the Punjab Prevention of Beggary Act (1971), aiming at including tougher punishments and heavy penalties against racketeers, guardians, or parents who force children to beg at traffic lights and public places.
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