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Children engaged at tendu units?

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: Child labourers below the age of 14 years are allegedly being used by the Forest Department in Kandhamal district though the Government has banned their employment.

They were employed for picking tendu leaves and binding them into packs at the Gochhapada forest range of Phulbani Tendu Leaves Division. The Phulbani Tendu Leaves Division has seven ranges, which includes Gochhapada range. There are 64 tendu leaf collection units under it.

It is alleged that children of eight to 11 years were being employed at tendu collection units at places like Pipalmal, Khajurigaon, Tanasu and Bandulu.

Most of these children are from tribal or Scheduled Caste families. They study at local primary schools. Schools have closed for summer vacation. Their parents are ignorant of the ban. For them the small income that their children bring home during the summer vacation by toiling is a lure. As tendu leaf collection takes place at remote villages the use of small children in this work usually does not come to the notice of the authorities.

The children work at the tendu leaf collection units from 6 am to 11 am and 3 pm to 6 pm. Each child is paid around Rs. 20 per day. District labour officer Kumuda Ranjan Dash said they had received allegations and enquiry would be made.

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