CGCRPC chairman urges to prevent child labour

MAHASAMUND,CG(INDIA): Dr. Varnika Sharma, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh State Child Rights Protection Commission, has issued important instructions to prevent child labour across the state. She has asked the Labour Department and the Women and Child Development Department to take strong action and follow specific guidelines.

Dr. Sharma emphasized that preventing child labour is not something that can be done in a single day—it requires ongoing effort. To ensure consistent action, she has called for a week-long raid campaign to be carried out in every district once every three months, starting from April 2025.

For these raids, she asked for a dedicated team should be formed in each district, which should include members from the District Child Protection Unit, local police administration, and concerned police stations. Any children found in labour situations should be presented before the Child Welfare Committee without delay, so they can receive the necessary care and protection.

She also asked that all national and state guidelines related to such operations be strictly followed during these raids.

Dr. Sharma further directed that, in every district, the local Labour Department officer should present a report to the District Collector about the actions taken to prevent child labour. The report should be shared by June 12, 2025, in observance of International Child Labour Prohibition Day.

She recommended that the Labour Department start a toll-free helpline at its offices or state headquarters. It would allow the public to report cases of child labour quickly and easily.

To address the root causes of child labour, Dr. Sharma stressed the need to provide immediate employment to the families of rescued children, so that they can earn a living. For this purpose, he suggested setting up a "single-window system" at district collectorates to offer support and services in one place.