Monthly meeting of District Task Force constituted

Panchkula, March 1:

Deputy Commissioner, Mr Mukesh Kumar Ahuja today directed to ensure the strict compliance of provisions of “The Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act”, 1986 so as to prohibit the engagement of children and adolescents in hazardous occupations.

        Mr Ahuja was presiding over the monthly meeting of District Task Force constituted to curb child labour here today.

        He said that engagement of children and adolescents in hazardous occupations is a punishable offence and strict action should be taken as per the law against those found guilty. He directed the police department that FIR should be registered in offences of child labour and investigation be carried out as per the Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs) issued for this purpose. Similarly, he also directed the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to ensure the rehabilitation of rescued children besides providing them financial assistance admissible to them under the Act.  

        It was informed in the meeting that the District Task Force has rescued 26 child labourers during the last two months. These child labourers were rescued from different places in Panchkula, Kalka and Pinjore. It was informed that the District Task Force has identified places in the district where regular raids are conducted to rescue the children who are illegally engaged in hazardous occupations. These places include industrial areas, road side dhabas, brick kilns, mela sites, traffic light points etc. Apart from these identified sites, raids are also conducted on the basis of complaint received about the child labour.

        Among those present in the meeting included Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee (CWS) Ms Vandana Gupta, ACP Ms Mamta Sauda, Additional Labour Commissioner, Sh Naveen Sharma, Deputy Labour Commissioner, Sh R.K. Nain, District Child Protection Officer (DCPO) Smt Saroj Rani, District Programme Officer, Women and Child Development Department Smt Aaru Vashisth, State Coordinator, Bachpan Bachao Andolan and member STF Sh. Gajendra Nautiyal.