Dera Bassi, Aug 2 — Punjab social security, women and child development minister Dr Baljit Kaur has ordered the immediate rescue and rehabilitation of children found begging in hazardous conditions near the Dera Bassi flyover, saying their safety is a “top priority” for the government.
Responding to reports of unsafe and unhygienic living conditions in the area, Kaur directed officials from the social security department, child protection units, and district administration to conduct a special rescue operation.
“These children are highly vulnerable to exploitation and must be safeguarded urgently,” she said, adding that they should be provided shelter, food, healthcare, and education under the Project Jeevanjyot-2: Save the Childhood initiative.
Statewide Orders Issued
The minister also issued instructions to officials across all districts of Punjab to treat child begging cases with utmost seriousness and to launch similar rescue and rehabilitation drives in their respective regions.
Kaur warned that if any individual or group is found forcing children to beg, strict legal action would be taken. She stressed that coordinated efforts by the police, health, education, and municipal authorities were essential to ensure effective rehabilitation.
She further appealed to the public to report any incidents of child begging or trafficking by calling the child helpline 1098.
