Maharashtra WCD To Initiate DNA Tests Of Beggar Women Carrying Babies

11 May , Mumbai

Alarmed by increasing cases of child trafficking, Maharashtra’s Women and Child Welfare Department wants DNA tests to be conducted of women seen begging on roads to establish whether they are the real mothers of the babies they carry along with them.

The move is to control child trafficking in which poor people are either lured or forced to sell their children due to their poor socio economic background.
The department had initial talks with Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria and the matter is under consideration in the Chief Minister’s office.

The government will need to incur an expenditure of about 2-4 crore rupees annually to carry the DNA tests.