The Punjab government has increased jail terms and fines for forcing children to beg under the Punjab Vagrancy (Amendment) Bill 2026.
The amended legislation also covers parents and guardians who involve children in begging.
Under the new provisions, the age limit for children covered by the Punjab Vagrancy Act has been increased from 14 to 16 years. Parents and guardians who force a child to beg can now be sentenced to three months to three years in prison and fined between Rs3,000 and Rs300,000.
Repeat offenders will face at least six months in prison. The law also makes it an offence to hand over a child to another person for the purpose of begging.
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The amendment designates the Director General of Social Welfare Punjab as the Controller for Anti-Vagrancy Measures. A central database will also be created to keep records of beggars, individuals taken into custody and those who complete rehabilitation programmes.
The controller will be authorised to monitor and inspect welfare and rehabilitation centres and obtain relevant records. Authorities will also work with the police and district administration to take action against organised begging networks.
The amended law places greater emphasis on rehabilitation. The government plans to support beggars in returning to society and provide them with opportunities to find employment.