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Regular-article-logo Saturday, 05 July 2025

Child labour awareness on wheels

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SMITA KUMAR Published 13.02.12, 12:00 AM

Patna, Feb. 12: Those feigning ignorance about child labour would soon be “taught” about the social menace. Bihar State Child Labour Commission has decided to start a campaign at the panchayat level and make people aware about the malpractice.

The commission is planning to use vehicles carrying the message not to use children as labourers. The objective of the campaign is to prevent people, especially rural folks, from citing ignorance as an excuse.

The deputy chairperson of Bihar State Child Labour Commission, Anita Sinha, told The Telegraph: “We have witnessed several cases where people have said they were not aware that child labour is a crime. We are planning to ply vehicles in the districts, which would not only convey the message that it is a crime but also make them aware of the punishments one might get after getting caught.”

Sinha pointed out that Bihar State Child Labour Commission is keen on eradicating child labour from the grassroots level, which was not possible without reaching out to the panchayats and making people of the villages aware that child labour is a social offence and needs to be checked.

“Audio cassettes would be used to make the announcements in the villages. The announcements would read out that child labour is a crime and if those caught indulging in it could face severe punishment. We have decided to go for this mode of communication to ensure that even those who cannot read and write get our message. Audios would be very effective in the villages,” she said, adding that songs may also be played for the purpose.

Sinha said the number of teams that would conduct raids would be announced during the campaigns.

“To start with, we will select any four districts for the purpose. While holding camps and workshops in the districts in the past few days, the commission noticed that many people and even representatives of the panchayati raj system were not aware of the laws made to curb the menace,” Sinha said.

Arun Kumar Jaiswal, a resident of Rampur village in Khagaria district told The Telegraph: “I find children working here in hotels as well as at homes. We have not been able to do much about the issue. I think, the steps being taken (by Bihar State Child Labour Commission) to make people aware of the practice being a crime will help many children. I would be happy if it is done here too.”

Since the numbers of raiding teams would also be provided, therefore people could inform the commission also, he added.

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