The Punjab Government has distributed ₹7 crore under the Sponsorship Foster Care Scheme, benefiting nearly 4,000 children in the state. This was revealed by Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur during a meeting with beneficiaries of the scheme at MIMIT College, Malout.
Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the department is continuously working to protect children's rights and welfare. The Sponsorship Scheme provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged families to help them raise their children in a family environment and continue their education. Under this scheme, children receive ₹4,000 per month until they reach 18 years of age.
The Minister further explained that families with an annual income of up to ₹92,000 in urban areas and ₹72,000 in rural areas are eligible for the scheme. Those interested in availing of this scheme can obtain information about eligibility and application procedures from their district’s Child Protection Unit or Child Welfare Committee.
Highlighting efforts to curb child begging, Dr. Baljit Kaur mentioned that the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department has launched the "Project Jeevanjot" campaign to rescue and rehabilitate children engaged in begging. This initiative is conducted every second week of the month.
Since July 2024, 268 children have been rescued across different districts. Out of these, 19 children, who had no guardians, have been sent to state-run child homes where they receive education, food and healthcare. The remaining children have been reunited with their families through the Child Welfare Committee. Among them, 18 children have been enrolled under the Sponsorship Scheme and efforts are being made to admit 119 children to schools.
Dr. Baljit Kaur also announced that the Government will soon establish two new homes for destitute children in Gurdaspur and Malerkotla, with these projects set to begin in the next financial year. Additionally, the Government has established 16 adoption agencies to provide a family environment for orphaned children.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Baljit Kaur emphasized that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government is committed to making Punjab a prosperous state. She stated that under the Sponsorship Foster Care Scheme, 4,000 children who were found begging on streets, working at hotels and dhabas, or unable to study due to financial constraints have been provided assistance.
During the event, Dr. Baljit Kaur distributed ₹1.09 crore to 689 children under the Sponsorship Foster Care Scheme through the District Child Protection Unit of Sri Muktsar Sahib. She appealed to social service organizations and well-off individuals to support needy children whenever possible.
The Minister also urged parents not to force their children into begging or labor but to ensure they attend school so they can secure a better future for themselves. The event was attended by Chairman S. Jagdev Singh Bam, Principal Jaskaran Singh Bhullar, District Project Officer Ratan Deep Kaur, Dr. Shivani Nagpal, Tehsildar Anju Bala, Block Presidents Simranjit Singh, Gagandeep Singh Aulakh and prominent community members.