Punjab all set to root out child labour

by Punjabnewswire4u (Balbir)

CHANDIGARH, OCT 16

  The Punjab Government is all set to root out child labour in the state by framing first of its kind in the country 'State Action Plan' for complete elimination of this menace.

Labour Minister Arunesh Shakir  today disclosing the 'State Action Plan' said that the necessary instructions have been issued to the all district administrations for the proper implementation of action plan. He said that Punjab Government has also constituted a 'State Steering Committee' to monitor the implementation of plan while the District Administration would also responsible for the rehabilitation of released child labourers.

          Mr. Shakir said that all requisite preparation has been completed on all levels and the punitive action would be taken against the erring officials. He said that through this action plan department of state government including Education, Health, Local Government, Labour, Child and Women Development, Police and Deputy Commissioners have been made responsible to bring the released child labourers in the main stream. The Minister said that the Education Department would provide education to the released children besides implementing the Center/State funded welfare schemes for these deserted children.

          Elaborating the Action Plan, Mr. Shakir said that the Health Department would ensure the routine health examinations for such children by providing free medicines. The Minister said that a 'Special Task Force' has also been formed to conduct surprise raids on Dhabas, Hotels, Restaurants, Tea Shops and Brick Kilns. He said that the task force would also conduct raids in houses, where such labourers works as domestic helpers and no body behind the child labour would be spared at any cost. He said that the Local Bodies Department would assist the District Administration for the Rehabilitation of these children.

           Mr. Shakir said that to implement the action plan properly in each district, the Deputy Commissioner concerned would convene meetings with the Task Force at periodic ends to evaluate the progress in this regard. He said that Labour Department has been made the nodal agency, which would ensure the complete abolition of Child Labour from their respective districts and would take legal action within 24 hours, where found child labour in operation. He said that Punjab Government is firmed to eliminate Child Labour and rehabilitate the released children in the state. He said that the Labour Department has observed three 'Child Labour Elimination Weeks' after June 2010 to till date besides releasing 1443 Child Labourers and produced challans against the accused.