The initiatives outlined by minister Shobha Karandlaje reflect the government’s proactive stance towards eliminating child labour and ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for children across the country.
The ministry of labour and employment has developed a comprehensive state action plan aimed at eradicating child labour, union minister of state for labour and employment, Shobha Karandlaje, informed the Rajya Sabha on Thursday.
In response to queries during the questions and answers session of the house, the minister of state for labour and employment highlighted key initiatives undertaken by the government to tackle the issue. She mentioned the formulation of a model state action plan outlining specific action points for state governments. Additionally, the ministry has devised a standard operating procedure to guide trainers, practitioners, and enforcement agencies in their efforts.
“Child labour persists as a consequence of various socio-economic challenges such as poverty, economic disparity, lack of access to essential services, and illiteracy,” the minister underscored.
To combat this issue, the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy, minister Shobha Karandlaje explained. This strategy includes legislative measures such as the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, which prohibits the employment of children under 14 years in any occupation and adolescents aged 14 to 18 years in hazardous occupations. The Act also mandates stricter penalties for offenders, treating violations as cognizable offenses.
She further elaborated on the framework provided by the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Rules, 1988, which establish District Nodal Officers and Task Forces chaired by District Magistrates to ensure effective implementation of the Act at the grassroots level.
Moreover, the government has implemented the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme to rehabilitate child labourers, which has now been integrated into the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) Scheme since April 1, 2021.
Minister Karandlaje assured the Rajya Sabha that the government remains committed to addressing child labour through these concerted efforts, aiming not only to enforce laws but also to provide avenues for education and socio-economic development.
The initiatives outlined by the minister reflect the government’s proactive stance towards eliminating child labour and ensuring a secure and nurturing environment for children across the country.
Image: Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation
