Lok Sabha Question No. 23 (STARRED), answered on 2017-12-18
Subject: Curbing of Child Labour
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 23 TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2017

## CURBING OF CHILD LABOUR

†*23. SHRI BHAIRON PRASAD MISHRA:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether  the  new  initiatives  undertaken  by  the  Government  have been successful in curbing the Child Labour;
- (b)if so, the comparative data for the last three years; and
- (c)the time by which child labour is likely to be eliminated completely?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  23  FOR 18.12.2017 BY SHRI BHAIRON  PRASAD  MISHRA,  HON'BLE  MP  REGARDING  CURBING  OF CHILD LABOUR:

(a):   Government is following a multi-pronged strategy for elimination of  child  labour  comprising  of  legislative  measures,  establishing  an efficient  enforcement  mechanism,  project  based  rehabilitation  and emphasis on universal elementary education.

Government has amended  the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 and the amendment has come into force w.e.f. 1.9.2016.  The  Amendment  Act,  inter-alia,  prohibits  employment  or work of children below 14 years of age in any occupation or process and  adolescents  (14-18  years)  in  the  hazardous  occupations  and processes. The employment of children or adolescents in contravention  of  the  provisions  of  the  Act  has  now  been made  a cognizable offence.

After strengthening the legislative framework through amendment  in  Child  Labour  Act,  Government  has  framed  the  Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Rules, 2017 on 2.6.2017 which  provides  for  District  Nodal  Officer  (DNO)  and  Task  Force  at district  level,  under  chairpersonship  of  District  Magistrate,  to  ensure that  the  provisions  of  this  Act  are  properly  enforced.  To  provide  an enforcement mechanism an online portal PENCIL (Platform for Effective  Enforcement  of  No  Child  Labour)  has  been  developed.  The portal has become functional with effect from 26.09.2017 for filing of complaint, child tracking, implementation and monitoring of National Child  Labour  Project  (NCLP)  and  converging  with  other  relevant Central  Ministries.  Besides,  the  Ministry  has  also  framed  Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) as a ready recknor for enforcing agencies and other stakeholders. Subsequent to  these measures taken by the Ministry,  as  on  date  DNOs  have  been  appointed  in  more  than  500 districts of the country to ensure strict implementation  of the provisions of the Act. Further, the coverage of NCLP scheme is being extended to all districts having incidences of child labour to provide educational rehabilitation to child labour withdrawn from work.

Cont..

Subsequent to these initiatives, Government has reaffirmed its commitment  to  curb  child  labour  by  ratification  of  the  two  ILO Conventions No.138 and No.182. (b): The incidence  of  child  labour  is  not  assessed  quantitatively  by the  government  on  annual  basis.  However,  as  per  2011  Census,  the number of main workers in the age group of 5-14 years in the country is  43.53  lakh  which  shows  a  decline  from  57.79  lakh  as  per  2001 Census. (c): Sustainable Development Goal 8.7, inter alia, stipulates to take immediate and effective measures to eradicate child labour in all its forms by 2025.  The recent multi-pronged initiatives undertaken by the government are aimed at achieving the goal of Child Labour free India.

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