Date:10/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/10/stories/2007111054910700.htm

Andhra Pradesh

Child labourer rescued

Staff Reporter

Officials ask the alleged offender to deposit Rs.20,000

Acting tough: Labour Department officials booking a case after identifying child labourer at a house at Maddilapalem in Visakhapatnam on Thursday.

VISAKHAPATNAM: Officials of the Labour Department have identified and rescued a child labourer from a house near V.S. Krisha College Road, Maddilapalem. Bandapu Ramalakshmi, 13, daughter of Pydithalli of Gollapeta in Cheepurupalli mandal in Vizianagaram district, had been working at the house of a government doctor, according to Assistant Labour Officer of Circle III G. Laxmi Narsaiah.

She was identified on Thursday and a case was booked against the householder for violation of Section 3 of Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986. The offender was also directed to deposit Rs.20,000 in the name of the child to the Child Labour Rehabilitation-cum-Welfare Fund of Visakhapatnam district.

Mr. Laxmi Narsaiah said suitable measures would be taken for the child’s rehabilitation. The girl was made to work from an early age owing to her poor family background.