Cases of child labour are on the increase at a fast pace at Paralakhemundi, the Gajpati district headquarters town. large numbers of children are working at various units like hotels, restaurants, tea stalls and other establishments while the concerned department has remained a mute spectator in this regard.
Around 30 children are seen collecting waste materials, plastic items and liquor bottles from roadsides and nullas every day. The kids later sell these items at different scrap stores in urban areas. Moreover, the children do not get a proper price for the items which make them more vulnerable.
“Neither has the district administration nor schoolteachers have taken any step to remove the child labour practices. Some voluntary organisations and the administration conduct awareness meetings and rallies against child labour once in a year, but no concrete step is taken to curb the practice,” alleged a local.