LAHORE: A standing committee of the provincial assembly has recommended vital changes to the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Bill further tightening noose around the people misusing or maltreating children without any let or hindrance, making it a crime to even employ them for picking trash.

Consequently, the departments concerned were asked to insert the amendments in the draft law so as to get it ready for passage in the next session, said a senior government official on Sunday.

The bill is pending legislation in the assembly.

According to a copy of the proposed amendments by the standing committee, exposing or exhibiting any sore, wound or deformity of an influenced child or a child under coercion at any place for purposes of seeking alms or begging will be a crime.

Rag picking (through children), that includes collection from any public place, rags, trash, waste material including any substance hazardous to the health, will also be a crime.

Penalties proposed; any body accommodating such kids will get itself registered with CPWB

Taking a destitute or neglected child in custody or keeping him or her in contravention of the law, will be punishable with up to five years imprisonment, which will not be less than three months, and with fine up to Rs100,000, which will not be less than Rs10,000.

Employing a child for begging or causing a child to beg or, having the custody, charge or care of a child, conniving at or encouraging employment of a child for begging or using a child will be punishable with up to five years imprisonment, which will not be less than three months, and with fine up to Rs100,000 but not less than Rs10,000.

Employing or inciting a child to sell goods with the intention of begging, will be punishable.

Giving or causing to be given to any child any intoxicant or narcotic drug, except on the prescription of a doctor, will be punished with up to seven years imprisonment, which will not be less than six months, and fine up to Rs300,000 but not less than Rs50,000.

Causing or procuring a child to go to a (hazardous) place will be punishable with up to five years imprisonment, which will not be less than three months, and fine up to Rs100,000 but not less than Rs25,000.

Children at risk owing to disability or child labour or imprisoned with the mother, or are born in a jail or abandoned by parents or guardians or whose parents or guardians are suffering from mental illness, rendering them incapable of taking good care in terms of physical, mental and social well being will be protected.

An organisation managing accommodation for destitute and neglected children will be required to register itself with the Child Protection and Welfare Bureau (CPWB) within 120 days from the commencement of the new law. Keeping children without doing so will be a crime punishable under the new law.

Published in Dawn, August 21st, 2017