Inspired by the able leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the thinking of Aam Aadmi Party’s National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, the Punjab Government has launched ‘Project Jeevan Jyot-2’. The aim of this scheme is to eradicate the problem of child beggary from Punjab.
Speaking about the scheme, Women and Child Development Minister, Punjab Government, Dr. Baljit Kaur said that Punjab, known for its Gurus, Saints and Warriors, cannot allow the shameful practice of child begging to continue unabated. In the last 9 months, 367 children were successfully rescued through 753 rescue operations (raids) in various districts. Out of these, 350 children were reunited with their families while 17 children whose parents could not be identified were kept in Bal Grihas. Out of these, 150 rescued children were from other states and were safely sent back to their families.
The minister said that the Punjab government has now further intensified its mission under ‘Project Jeevan Jyot-2’. Under this scheme, action will also be taken against parents who force their children to beg. They will be warned for the first offence, but if they commit the offence repeatedly, they will be declared ‘unfit parents’.