The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Child labour issue rocks Assembly

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Thursday, Jun 24, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Child labour issue rocks Assembly

By Our Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD, JUNE 23. Charges against the Sanghi Spinning Mills of employing child labour rocked the State Assembly on Wednesday with the Opposition members stalling proceedings for more than half-an-hour, demanding a discussion.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) members created a ruckus in the House as soon as it got down to business. The Speaker, K. R. Suresh Reddy, disallowed an adjournment motion moved by the party on the subject during Question Hour, sparking off angry protests from the TDP. The Speaker was firm that the party raise the issue in a form other than an adjournment motion for a full-fledged discussion. But the TDP stuck to its guns for an instant discussion.

Leader of the Opposition, N. Chandrababu Naidu, said it was more than a week since the problem of child labour in the Sanghi Spinning Mills was exposed but no action was taken. There were about 3,000 child labourers employed in the factory in violation of Constitutional provisions. There was no inquiry nor was action initiated against the management.

He insisted that there could be no bigger issue than this to be discussed by the Assembly during the day and accused the Government of `collusion' with the management. The TDP Government had responded to every issue concerning public with alacrity. Why should the present dispensation not act similarly? he asked.

The CPI (M) Floor Leader, N. Narasimhaiah, said the child labour menace did not crop up in one month of Congress rule. It existed much before during the TDP regime and the problem in the State was much worse than in Bihar and UP.

Gade Venkat Reddy (Congress) counselled the TDP members that the issue could be taken up after Question Hour with the Speaker's permission. He was sore that the TDP was wasting precious time of the Assembly.

Tension subsided after a suggestion by the TDP MLA, Ch. Rajeswara Rao, to the Speaker to use the latter's inherent powers allowing a discussion on the issue. Mr. Suresh Reddy posted the issue for a short notice discussion.

Action sought

Meanwhile, the Andhra Pradesh Mahila Samakhya (APMS) and Telugu Nadu Trade Union Council (TNTUC) have sought the prosecution of the management of Sanghi Spinning Mills for employing child labourers in violation of law.

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