Delhi government today decided to rein in placement agencies across the city and put an end to the "dubious modus operandi" of some of them after it emerged that owner of one such agency was allegedly involved in kidnapping an 18-month old baby to make a fast buck.

The government also indicated bringing an amendment to the Shops and Establishment Act under whose ambit the placements agencies fall, to make stringent punitive provisions against those involved in dubious activities.

The decision to review functioning of the placement agencies was taken at a meeting Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit had with Labour Minister Ramakant Goswami.

The functioning of placement agencies had come to the fore following arrest of Anu Ara Begam, who is the owner of a placement agency in New Friends Colony, along with four others in connection with kidnapping of 18-month-old Ishaan who was rescued from adjoining Faridabad on Tuesday.

"The government felt there is an urgent need to put an end to dubious modus operandi of such agencies," said Goswami.

"So many placement agencies are indulging in unlawful activities. The families who recruit domestic help from such agencies often face harassment," he said.

The Minister said not even a single placement agency will be allowed to function without registration under the Shops and Establishment Act.

"We are also planning to amend the Act to incorporate stringent provisions against the offenders and those who are operating without registration," he said.

Goswami said his department will soon strengthen its enforcement wing to carry out regular scrutiny of placement agencies.

He said that he has received a complaint about violation of Minimum Wages Act by a prominent security placement agency and an enquiry has been ordered into it. PTI