Centre writes to states, UTs to curb child labour menace

Srinagar, Jul 1: The Centre has asked all the states and Union Territories including Jammu and Kashmir to take measures for curbing the menace of child labour.
The Centre took this step following multiple incidents of factories in Madhya Pradesh employing children under the age of 14 years.
The government has written to Jammu and Kashmir apart from other states and Union Territories to strengthen the enforcement mechanism to prevent child labour and expedite the rescue and rehabilitation of the affected children.
“Strengthen the enforcement mechanism to prevent any violation of the Child and Adolescent Labour Protection Act, 1986. It is also requested to expedite the rescue and rehabilitation of the affected children, ensuring that they receive proper care and access to education, as outlined in the standard operating procedures,” the letter by the Ministry of Labour and Employment reads.
The labour ministry in its letter asked states to make use of the online portal Platform For Effective Enforcement for No Child Labour (PENCIL) for complaints and effective implementation and enforcement of the provisions of the Act.
A source said that a letter has gone to Jammu and Kashmir’s Labour and Employment Department as well for taking stringent measures against child labour.
“The directions have come to every states and UT. Jammu and Kashmir, where the incidents of child labour has come to fore, too has started a drive against the child labour,” he said.
Pertinently, during the ongoing month, multiple drive shave been held across Jammu and Kashmir against child labour.
Last week, the Jammu administration has filed 15 FIRs during crackdown on child labour.
The district administration has filed FIR against 15 business establishments for engaging child labour.
An anti-child labour drive was also jointly conducted by Child Welfare Committee Kupwara, Child Line and District Child Protection Unit in Kupwara town.
The team found two minor children working as labour. The children were produced before the Child Welfare Committee who initiated an enquiry into the matter. (KNO)