Chandigarh, July 17 —To crack down on child trafficking and exploitation, the Punjab government has directed district administrations to conduct DNA tests on children found begging with adults on the streets.
Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Baljit Kaur announced on Wednesday that the initiative is part of a broader campaign to dismantle begging rackets and protect vulnerable minors.
“If a child is found begging with an adult, a DNA test will be conducted to verify their relationship,” Kaur said. “Until the results are confirmed, the child will be kept in a childcare institution. If there is no biological connection, strict legal action will be taken.”
The directive has been formally issued to all deputy commissioners across the state, instructing immediate compliance, she added.
The minister had first signaled this policy shift a month ago, saying that DNA testing would be used as a tool to expose organized child begging operations, particularly in urban markets and high-traffic public areas.
“This is a protective step, not just a punitive one,” Kaur said. “We are trying to rescue children from rackets that profit off their suffering.”
Just two days ago, police in Amritsar registered a case against a woman found begging with several children, further raising concerns about potential trafficking.
Officials say the children removed from such situations will not only be given temporary shelter but also receive psychological support and welfare checks while the DNA verification process is underway.
“This is about safeguarding the dignity and future of these children,” Kaur added.
