Cuttack, Jan. 29: Orissa High Court has ordered the setting up of crèches for children of women working in mines across the state.

The court issued the order on a PIL seeking direction for enforcement of provisions related to crèche facilities to achieve child growth in the mines operating in Orissa.

Committee for Legal Aid to Poor (CLAP), a Cuttack-based legal advocacy group, and Forum for Creche and Child Care Services (FORCES) had filed the PIL invoking Mines Creche Rules, 1966 and The Mines Act, 1952. The rules provided for crèches for use of children below six years, whose mothers work in mines.

The two-judge bench of Chief Justice V. Gopal Gowda and Justice B.N. Mohapatra directed the secretary, ministry of labour, “to see that the crèches are properly maintained by mine owners, who have established them”.

“For those who have not established crèches, Directorate of Mines Safety shall see that the same are established soon. Safety measures shall be taken for the children of women working in mines,” the court ordered while disposing off the PIL last last week, which was filed in 2003.

“Periodical inspection shall also be carried out by the Director of Mines Safety regarding maintenance and functioning of crèches in consonance of provisions of the Act and Rules in vogue,” the order said.

“If the authorities find that any mine owner is contravening the provisions of the Act and Rules, they shall have to take steps to prosecute them before the court of law for contravention of law, which tantamount to statutory offence,” it added.