The Campaign against Child labour (CACl) on Thursday urged the Union and State Governments to make provisions to hold District Magistrates/ Collectors accountable in cases of non-implementation of policies and Acts related to prohibition and regulation of child labour.
Addressing a Press conference here, CACl State unit convenor Sudhir Sabat said, “The State Government should ensure fresh survey in every village and gram panchyats and urban areas to identify the child labourers. District Collectors should be empowered to enforce the Act in letter and spirit failing which they should be held accountable.”
He also demanded provision of fund allocation in Central budget for the rehabilitation of child labour, mobile courts in every block and sub divisions in regular basis, besides ensuring in bringing the child labourers in the mainstream of the society through child lines and NGOs.
Sabat said the Child labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012 which is pending in the Parliament will prohibit employment of children below the age of 14 years in all occupations and process to facilitate their enrolment in schools in view of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 and to prohibit employment of adolescents (persons who have completed 14 years but have not completed 18 years) in hazardous occupations and processes and to regulate the conditions of service of adolescents. Hence, we demand immediate passing of the Bill and proper implementation of the same in grassroots level.