The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : “Sustained efforts needed for a child-labour free State”

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Wednesday, Aug 20, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

“Sustained efforts needed for a child-labour free State”

Staff Reporter

Continuous monitoring vital for complete elimination

Over 2 lakh inspections held in the last two years and 1,362 cases filed

Several blocks and districts are sending proposals for being declared as ‘child labour-free’

CHENNAI: While the State has been performing well in eradicating child labour, it is important to sustain efforts at different levels to ensure that child labour is completely eliminated from all the districts, Labour and Employment Minister T.M. Anbarasan said here on Monday.

Training programme

He was speaking at the inauguration of a training programme on the implementation of Child Labour Monitoring Systems organised by the State Child Labour Rehabilitation and Welfare Society.

The Minister said that over 2 lakh inspections were held in the last two years.

A total of 1,362 cases were filed against persons employing child labour.

Action taken

“As many as 628 of them were subjected to punishment, with 22 of them being imprisoned,” he said.

The total fine collected amounted to Rs.40,28,673.

“In the last two years, our teams have rescued 1,311 children, put 644 of them in schools and restored 677 children to the parents,” Mr. Anbarasan said.

Citing poverty and illiteracy of parents as the two main causes for child labour, he said by awareness programmes and sustenance of efforts, complete eradication of child labour could be achieved.

“States such as Maharashtra and Gujarat are emulating our models,” he added.

Intense follow up

Labour and Employment secretary Ramesh Kumar Khanna, who spoke earlier, said that several blocks and districts were sending proposals for being declared as “child labour-free.”

Continuous monitoring was vital to ensure there was no child labour.

“There is no room for complacency,” he added.

Equipping trainers

Labour Commissioner A. Sukumaran said that the programme was aimed at equipping trainers, who could in turn, train district and block level functionaries. Additional Commissioner K. Sellamuthu was also present.

The three-day programme, besides presentations by experts, also includes field visits and discussions, organisers said.

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