NHRC issues notices to 6 states on rehab plans for child labourers

The National Human Rights Commission has issued notices to six states, including Delhi, for adopting 'lackadaisical attitude' in the rehabilitation of 740 bonded child labourers rescued from 2013 to 2014.

These states include — Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The Commission has sought reports from the six states within eight weeks. 

Seven hundred and forty child labourers – 610 from Bihar, and the rest 130 from Jharkhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan – were rescued. 

“But release certificates were issued for only 456 children from Bihar. However, they were not given copies of the release certificates by the concerned authorities in Rajasthan,” the NHRC observed.

Release certificates for 284 rescued bonded child labourers are yet to be issued. The certificates are essential to start the rehabilitation process in the respective states.

“The issue of the rescue of child labourers is not merely an instance of employing a child in violation of laws.  It is rather more heinous in nature that children are being taken from one state to another, which cannot happen without the involvement of human/child traffickers,” said D Murugesan, member, NHRC.

Action plan

No report has been submitted by the state agencies regarding the action taken plan to curb child trafficking so far, said Murugesan.

“Therefore, the allegation of the complainant that the human/child traffickers have not been dealt with in accordance with law, required to be investigated in an impartial and transparent manner.”

The notices have been issued to the chief secretaries, police and labour commissioners of the state governments to submit the report.