By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The National Commission for Protection of Child’s Right (NCPCR) has lambasted the State Labour Department for its failure to arrest the use of children in hazardous coal mines, restaurants.
Quoting from an independent survey by Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati, NCPCR member Yogesh Dube said on Tuesday child labour had been rampant in Meghalaya and “there is serious violation of child rights”.
“There are 343 cases of child labour only in ten villages of the State,” he said.
According to the NCPCR member, the Principal Secretary of the Labour department was directed to rescue these children and rehabilitate them.
“The Labour department has failed to identify and rehabilitate those children,” he said.
During a survey conducted by the Labour department it was found that were 220 child labourers in Jaintia Hills.
“Where are those 220 children and have they been rehabilitated?” he questioned.
“The labour department should conduct a state-wide child labour survey to map critical areas where child’s rights were trampled upon,” Dube said.
As a remedial measure, the Commission has recommended setting up of 16 child labour schools in Jaintia Hills.
Following recommendations of the NCPCR, the State Government formed a steering committee under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary for child labour and it will hold regular meetings.
He also asserted that the State Government has formed district task force committee “but it is just an eyewash,” while adding that two blocks in Jaintia Hills has to be made child labour free blocks.”
SCPCR constitution: Meanwhile, Dube informed that the State Government has constituted the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) following a directive from the NCPCR.
The SCPCR will become functional within this year.
It may be mentioned here that the NCPCR earlier had sent a letter to Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma asking the State Government to constitute the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR).
The NCPCR member during his visit to the state also held discussions with different departments of the State Government on the need to arrest use of child labour.
Later in the day, he met the Governor RS Mooshahary.