In a bid to curb the menace of begging in the province, the Punjab Assembly has passed the Anti-Begging Amendment Bill 2025, declaring soliciting beggars a non-bailable offense. The bill, which aims to prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals, particularly children and the disabled, was passed by a majority vote.
According to the bill, anyone found guilty of soliciting beggars from a single person will face a three-year prison sentence and a fine of Rs 300,000. In case of non-payment of the fine, the offender will be sentenced to an additional six months in prison.
The bill also stipulates harsher penalties for those who solicit beggars from multiple persons. Such offenders will face a prison sentence of three to five years and a fine of up to Rs 500,000.
In a significant move, the bill also targets those who force children to beg. Such offenders will face a prison sentence of five to seven years and a fine of up to Rs 700,000. Similarly, those who forcibly disable someone to beg will face a prison sentence of seven to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 2 million.
The bill also provides for stricter penalties for repeat offenders. In case of a second conviction, the sentence and fine will be doubled.
The passage of the bill is seen as a significant step towards addressing the issue of begging in Punjab. The bill will now be sent to the Governor of Punjab for approval, after which it will become part of the draft law.
The move has been welcomed by social activists and civil society organizations, who have long been advocating for stricter laws to prevent exploitation of vulnerable individuals.
However, some critics have expressed concerns that the bill may not be enough to address the root causes of begging, such as poverty and lack of education. They argue that the government needs to do more to provide support and resources to vulnerable individuals and communities.
