The Punjab Government has allocated ₹7 crore under the Sponsorship Foster Care Scheme, benefiting nearly 4,000 children across the state. This information was shared by Social Security, Women, and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur during a meeting with the beneficiaries at MIMIT College, Malout.
Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that the department is continually working to protect children's rights and welfare. The Sponsorship Scheme provides financial support to economically disadvantaged families to help raise their children in a family environment while ensuring they continue their education. Under the 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 can obtain detailed information regarding eligibility and application procedures from their district's Child Protection Unit or Child Welfare Committee.
Dr. Kaur also spoke about efforts to combat child begging, stating that the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department has launched the "Project Jeevanjot" campaign, aimed at rescuing and rehabilitating children involved in begging. This initiative is carried out every second week of the month.
Since July 2024, the campaign has successfully rescued 268 children across different districts. Among them, 19 children who were without guardians have been placed in state-run child homes, where they are provided with education, food, and healthcare. The remaining children have been reunited with their families through the Child Welfare Committee. Additionally, 18 of these children have been enrolled in the Sponsorship Scheme, and efforts are being made to admit 119 children to schools.
Dr. Kaur also announced the establishment of two new homes for destitute children in Gurdaspur and Malerkotla, with construction set to begin in the next financial year. Furthermore, 16 adoption agencies have been set up to provide orphaned children with a family environment.
Emphasizing the Punjab Government’s commitment to the welfare of children, Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab is dedicated to becoming a prosperous state. She mentioned that, through the Sponsorship Foster Care Scheme, 4,000 children—who were found begging, working at hotels and dhabas, or facing financial barriers to education—have been provided crucial assistance.
At the event, Dr. 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 individuals with means to support needy children whenever possible.
The Minister also urged parents not to force their children into begging or labor, but instead to ensure their children attend school to 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 other prominent community members.