NCPCR notice to Meghalaya on child labourers

Updated on: Thursday, November 03, 2011

Concerned over reports of child labourers working in dismal conditions in Meghalaya's coal belts, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) today asked the state to undertake mapping of schools in the area around Jaintia Hills district.

NCPCR has asked the Meghalaya government to undertake this exercise in the coal mines and coal depot areas of Lad-Rymbai and Rymbai in Jaintia Hills district. It has also asked the concerned department to ensure that mapping of schools and survey of out-of-school children in the state is done within three months, officials said.

An NCPCR team had visited the state from October 16-18 to look into the problem of child labour in coal mines. The team, led by Yogesh Dube, also met the Chief Secretary and representatives from various departments including Social Welfare, Education, Labour, Mining and Police, local NGOs, among others.

The visiting team had expressed its displeasure over the dismal condition of child labourers in the coal mines as well as widespread prevalence of child labour in other sectors like hotels, restaurants and market places, officials said.

The team officials were also shocked to learn about the pathetic situation of the street children, disabled and HIV/AIDS affected children in the state.

NCPCR has asked for a status report from the health department on the School Health Programme and Immunisation initiative in the state within two weeks.

The department of Mining and Geology has been asked to report to the Commission about the survey mapping of the mines and mining areas of the state. It has been asked to submit its report to the Commission within four weeks and also expedite and finalise the proposed Mining Policy.

The Commission has also directed the state to constitute a state-level Core Committee on Child Labour under the leadership of Secretary Labour, along with the secretaries of Education, Home, Social Welfare and Deputy Commissioners of the vulnerable districts as its members.

NCPCR notice to Meghalaya on child labourers

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