Lok Sabha Question No. 2358 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-08
Subject: Cases of Child Labour
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Saikia Dilip, Anto  Antony, Shobha Karandlaje

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2358

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.07.2019

## CASES OF CHILD LABOUR

†2358. SHRI DILIP SAIKIA: SHRI ANTO ANTONY: KUMARI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE:

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

- (a)the total number of cases of child labour in the country which have come to light during the last five years;
- (b)whether the Government is adopting a multi-pronged strategy to combat
- problem of child labour and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether the employment  of  a  child below  14  years is completely prohibited in any occupation or processes;
- (d)whether the Census 2011 shows decline in child labour which has come down to 1.01 crore as compared to 1.26 crore in 2001;
- (e)if so, the policy initiatives/schemes special action plan introduced by the
- Government towards complete eradication of child labour; and
- (f)whether the Government has launched any project aimed to eliminate all forms of child labour through identification and prepare children withdrawn  from  work  for  main  stream  education  along  with  vocational training and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a): A  total  number  of  16540  cases  of  child  labour  violations  in respect of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 have been detected during inspection in the country in the last five years.
- (b): The Government of India is following a multi-pronged strategy for elimination  of  child  labour  from  the  country.  It  comprises  of  statutory  and legislative  measures,  rehabilitation  of  rescued  child  labour  along  with convergence  with  other  schemes  for  socio  economic  development  of  their families.

(c): The employment or work of children below 14 years of age has been completely prohibited subsequent to the enactment of the Child Labour (Prohibition  &  Regulation)  Amendment  Act,  2016  effective  from  1.9.2016. However  in  exception  to  the  above  provision  of  the  Act,  artist  in  an audiovisual entertainment industry, including advertisement, films, television serials or any such other entertainment or sports activities except the circus, has  been  permitted  to  work  subject  to  certain  conditions  and  safety measures.

(d): Yes, Sir.

(e) & (f): The Government of India stands committed to the elimination of child  labour  in  the  country  and  is  implementing  the  National  Child  Labour Project  (NCLP)  Scheme  for  rehabilitation  of  child  labour.  Under  the  NCLP Scheme, children in the age group of 9-14 years are rescued/withdrawn from work  and  enrolled  in  the  NCLP  Special  Training  Centres,  where  they  are provided with bridge education, vocational training,  mid  day  meal,  stipend, health  care,  etc.  before  being  mainstreamed  into  formal  education  system. Children  in  the  age  group  of  5-8  years  are  directly  linked  to  the  formal education  system  through  a  close  coordination  with  the  Sarva  Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).

To  ensure  effective  enforcement  of  the  provisions  of  the  Child Labour Act and smooth implementation of the National Child Labour Project (NCLP)  Scheme  a  separate  online  portal  PENCIL  (Platform  for  Effective Enforcement for  No  Child  Labour)  has  been  launched  w.e.f.  26.9.2017.  The Portal  connects Central Government to State Government(s), District(s), all online  complaints regarding child labour can also be filed by anybody on the Pencil Portal.  The complaint gets assigned to the concerned Nodal Officer automatically by the

Project Societies and  the General  public. Further, system for further necessary action.

The Government has also amended the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 and enacted Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment  Act,  2016  which  inter-alia  covers  complete  prohibition  on employment or work of children below 14 years of age in all occupations and processes; prohibition on employment of adolescents (14 to 18 years of age) in  hazardous  occupations  or  processes  and  making  stricter  punishment  for the employers contravening the provisions of the Act.

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