Rekha Gupta Announces Major Drive To Remove Child Begging From Delhi Streets Soon

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has announced that the city government will soon launch a "Child Beggar-Free Delhi" campaign aimed at protecting children found begging at public places and major road intersections. The campaign will cover all 13 districts of the national capital and is intended to provide children involved in begging with safer alternatives and a more secure future. Gupta announced the proposed initiative in a video posted on X on Saturday.

The chief minister said the government would avoid forcibly removing children from public spaces and instead focus on counselling their families and addressing the circumstances that may have pushed them into begging. The Delhi government will work with the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR), non-governmental organisations and child welfare committees as part of the campaign. Officials will seek to understand the difficulties faced by families and connect them with alternatives that can help keep children away from begging.

Gupta said the campaign would address two major aspects of child begging in the capital. The first involves parents and guardians whose children are engaged in begging. The government plans to counsel families and encourage them to ensure that children do not continue begging for money at roadsides, intersections and other public locations. The stated objective is to tackle the circumstances behind child begging rather than merely removing children from the streets.

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The second aspect concerns organised groups allegedly involved in forcing children into begging. Gupta said authorities would identify and expose such gangs and take strict legal action against those responsible. She highlighted the particular vulnerability of homeless, poor and young children who may be exploited by organised networks. The involvement of law enforcement agencies would therefore be an important part of the campaign wherever organised exploitation is identified.

Non-governmental organisations and child welfare committees will also be actively involved in the initiative. Their role is expected to include identifying vulnerable children, counselling families and helping authorities determine appropriate rehabilitation and welfare measures. The government has indicated that coordination between various agencies will be necessary to address both the immediate needs of children and the wider social and economic factors contributing to child begging.

Gupta has invited members of the public to provide comments and suggestions before the campaign is formally launched. The government is expected to review the feedback and incorporate relevant suggestions into the initiative. According to the chief minister, the campaign is likely to be launched around Independence Day, although the final launch schedule will depend on the government's preparations and the public consultation process.

The proposed campaign represents an attempt by the Delhi government to address child begging through a combination of family counselling, child protection, rehabilitation and enforcement against organised exploitation. Rather than treating all children found begging as offenders, the government says its approach will focus on their welfare and protection. At the same time, authorities have indicated that individuals or groups exploiting children for begging will face stricter action under the law.

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