New Delhi: Delhi govt is going to launch a campaign in all 13 districts to free the city of child beggars. The drive will focus on protecting children found begging, counselling their families and providing them with safe alternatives, chief minister Rekha Gupta said.Under the campaign, these children will not be removed by force, govt said. Instead, officials will work with Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights and NGOs to counsel vulnerable families and understand the circumstances that have pushed the children into begging.Child Beggar-Free Delhi will address the economic and social difficulties faced by the families of such children and connect them with institutional alternatives, including child care centres, govt stated.Gupta said the initiative would focus on ensuring that children were protected from being drawn into begging and had access to education and a safe environment. “We will counsel families, address their difficulties and provide better alternatives,” she said.Govt also plans to focus on organised networks allegedly forcing children into begging. Law enforcement agencies will identify and investigate such gangs and take steps to dismantle networks involved in exploiting children, according to the campaign framework.The initiative will involve coordination among govt agencies, child protection authorities and NGOs. Officials will assess family circumstances before deciding on rehabilitation and support measures.Govt said the broader objective was to move children towards education, care and other safe alternatives, while also addressing the reasons that led the families to depend on children for income.Seeking suggestions from citizens, Gupta said people could share their feedback and suggestions through comments or direct messages on social media, which govt would consider while implementing the initiative.The campaign is expected to cover all 13 districts as part of govt’s efforts to strengthen child protection and tackle the exploitation of children.
