Child labour rampant in Odisha

Several functions were organized on National Child Labour Mitigation Day across Odisha to create awareness about the malaise of child labour here on Wednesday.

Despite tall claims by the government number of child labour is not falling in the state. The State Labour and welfare department conducted a survey in 2011 across 18 out of 30 district of the state. The survey revealed that more than 1.6 lakh children are working in different sectors that includes mining, crosser factory, wine shop, brick kiln etc.

The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) has already declared 24 out of 30 districts of the state as child labour prone. In 2007, NCLP conducted a survey in 24 districts of the state. The number was then 4.86 lakh.

Though, the 2011 survey has some positive indication, bur there are still miles to go. “After central government’s direction Odisha Government has taken several steps to abolish the child labours from the state. Crores of rupees have been spent by opening up of model schools, project schools etc., still the number is rampant. It is only because the money is not spent properly,” says Ghasiram Panda, a child right activist.

On the other hand the state welfare minister is not ready to admit that government machinery has failed to mitigate the issue.

'The state government has appointed 208 officers to find out the child labours. Last year, 750 child labours were rescued by this special team. The issue will be in our control very soon,” said Minister Prafulla Samal.

Talking to TSI, state labour commissioner Alekha Ch Padihari said, “Child labour issue is very sensitive. Only government’s initiative is not sufficient to curb this social menace. All sections of society need to come forward to meet the challenge.'