Rajasthan Govt. steps to end child labour

By Our Staff Correspondent

JAIPUR, APRIL 8. The Rajasthan Government has sanctioned Rs. 1.4 crores as its contribution to establish the child labour rehabilitation and welfare fund in all the districts in accordance with a recent verdict of the Supreme Court. The State has also taken steps for eliminating child labour.

The Chief Minister, Mr. Ashok Gehlot, informed about these steps in a letter written to the Union Labour Minister, Mr. Satyanarain Jatia. He appreciated the ``constructive'' approach adopted by the Union Labour Ministry towards eliminating child labour. Mr. Gehlot pointed out that as against the coverage of the National Child Labour Project in only two districts in Rajasthan earlier, the scheme had been extended to Jodhpur, Tonk and Ajmer districts from 1999-2000.

The State has opened 140 special schools which would help rehabilitate about 7,000 children employed in hazardous occupations.

The Chief Minister said an agreement with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) had been reached for opening 80 special schools in Jaipur under an integrated area specific programme. This would not only rehabilitate at least 2,000 child labourers but also prevent another 7,000 children going to work. These children would be enrolled in the formal education system.

Mr. Gehlot assured the Union Labour Minister that due attention had been paid to the enforcement of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, in the State which had deterred the employers from engaging children for work. The Government had undertaken activities to generate public awareness about the problem of child labour, he said.

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Section  : Regional
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