Over 1.26 lakh cases of child trafficking reported

New Delhi: There has been no let down in child trafficking in the country as the latest government data shows that over 1.26 lakh such cases were registered during 2011-12.

A total of 4,52,679 cases were reported since 2008-09, with the highest number of 1,33,266 such incidents taking place during 2009-10. In 2010-11, 95,289 cases were registered in the country.

"During 2011-12, the maximum number of 29,947 cases were reported from Uttar Pradesh, followed by 19,673 instances in Bihar. From the National Capital, 605 cases were registered," the Labour and Employment Ministry said.

"As per the 2001 Census, the total number of working children between the age group of 5-14 years in the country was 1.26 crore. However, in the survey conducted by NSSO, in 2004-05 the number of working children were estimated at 90.75 lakh," the Ministry said.

As per the 2009-10 survey of National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO), the working children are estimated at 49.84 lakh, which shows a declining trend, the Ministry documents said.

The information was provided to Lok Sabha in a written reply by Union Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge.

The House was also informed that 3,54,877 child labourers were rescued, withdrawn and rehabilitated through the National Child Labour Project (NCLP).

Kharge also informed the Parliament on the number of people prosecuted and convicted during the last three years.

"25,006 prosecution were launched against the erring employers and 3,394 employers were convicted during the last three years," he said.

On the schemes run by government for child labourers, Kharge said, "For elimination and rehabilitation of child labour, the Labour and Employment Ministry is implementing NCLP and Grant-in-Aid schemes. Under the NCLP, about 7,311 child labour special schools are in operation in 266 districts."

PTI