The Punjab Vagrancy Amendment Bill 2026 has introduced stricter punishments for forcing children to beg and expanded the law to cover parents and guardians.
Under the amendment, the age limit for children under the Punjab Vagrancy Act has been raised from 14 to 16 years. Parents or guardians who force a child to beg can now face imprisonment ranging from three months to three years, along with a fine of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 300,000.
Repeat offenders will face a minimum jail term of six months. The bill also makes it a punishable offense to hand over a child to another person for the purpose of begging.
The Director General of Social Welfare Punjab has been appointed as the Controller for the Prevention of Begging under the amended law. A centralized database will also be developed to maintain records of beggars, people taken into custody, and rehabilitated individuals.
The Controller will be empowered to supervise and inspect welfare and rehabilitation centers and seek their records when required.
The amended law also provides for action against organized begging mafias in coordination with the police and district administration.
In addition, plans will be prepared for the rehabilitation of beggars, their reintegration into society, and the provision of employment opportunities.
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