Nitish announces Rs 25,000 for every rescued child labour

Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday inaugurated 'Child Labour Tracking System (CLTS)' in order to keep a track of rescued child labour for their proper rehabilitation besides announcing financial help of Rs 25,000 for every rescued child labour to be given from Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Kumar, who was participating at a function on World Day against Child Labour here, also said he had in principle accepted the 'Charter of Demands' submitted by the rescued child labour and announced setting up a committee headed by Chief Secretary for implementation of children's demands.

"Every rescued child will be given Rs 25,000 from Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The money would directly go to their bank account. It (money) would instill a sense of confidence among the children. The money would be given to all those children who will be registered under the tracking system," Kumar said while addressing the gathering on the occasion.

The prominent demands of rescued children are- more schools with all facilities, residential schools for such children, training facilities in order to get job, a year (from Aug 15, 2016 to Aug 14, 2017) be declared and celebrated as child year etc.

The main reasons behind the child labour are illiteracy and poverty, he said and emphasised the need for such Child Labour Tracking System (CLTS).

Talking about the significance of the tracking system, the Chief Minister said "Even if they are rescued from working as child labour, there is no guarantee that they (rescued child labour) would not be forced to work. So there is need for tracking those children who have been rescued besides, monitoring such children as to what they are doing."

Expressing surprise over the prevalence of child labour, Kumar wondered saying that "there is still child labour despite the fact that government is giving every facility to the needy right from their birth and Anganwadi Kendras. There is mid day meal, uniform, books, cycles etc."

Education Minister Ashok Choudhary, Labour Resources Minister Vijay Prakash, Cooperative Minister Alok Mehta, Social Welfare Minister Kumari Manju Verma, Labour Department secretary Dipak Kumar Singh, Social Welfare Department Principal Secretary Vandana Kinni and other prominent persons also spoke on the occasion.