Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act, 2004

From: 2004-06-22 - To: 0000-00-00 An Act to consolidate the law for the rescue, protective custody, care and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children in the Province of the Punjab. Preamble.– Whereas it is expedient to consolidate the law for the rescue, protective custody, care and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children in the Province of the Punjab other than those involved in criminal litigation; It is hereby enacted as follows:- PART I PRELIMINARY 1. Short title, extent and commencement.– (1) This Act may be called the Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act 2004. (2) It extends to the Province of the Punjab. (3) It shall come into force at once but shall take effect in such areas and from such date as the Government may, by notification, specify. 2. Saving.– The Government may, by notification, direct that all or any of the provisions of this Act shall not apply to any class of children in the Province or in any particular area. 3. Definitions.– (1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereby respectively assigned to them, that is to say– (a) “begging” means– (i) soliciting or receiving alms in a public or private place; [2][(ii) 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 otherwise; and] (iii) having no visible or known means of subsistence and found wandering about with the ostensible object of soliciting or receiving alms; (b) “Board” means Board of Governors established under section 6 of this Act; (c) “brothel” means any house, part of a house, room or place in which a prostitute carries on prostitution or any place or institution where facilities are known to be available for prostitution; (d) “Bureau” means Child Protection and Welfare Bureau established under section 5 of this Act; (e) “child” means a natural person who has not attained the age of eighteen years; (f) “child protection institution” means an institution for the admission, care, protection and rehabilitation of destitute and neglected children established or recognized under this Act or the…