Mandya district authorities have reported a significant crackdown on child labour in 2025, rescuing more than 35 children from exploitative work conditions. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr. Kumara, who revealed these figures, stressed that eliminating this deep-rooted social issue requires a collective effort from both government machinery and every citizen.
Officials Directed to Ramp Up Surprise Inspections
Presiding over a training program on the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the 2017 Rules, DC Kumara warned against complacency. He cautioned that a lower number of registered cases should not be mistaken for the absence of the problem. To tackle this, he issued clear directives to enforcement officers.
Officials have been instructed to intensify surprise raids and inspections, particularly in vulnerable sectors like industries, hotels, and stone crusher units. These checks are to be conducted without prior information to ensure genuine findings. Kumara emphasized that constant alertness is non-negotiable for officials tasked with identifying and rescuing children.
Schools as the First Line of Defence
Highlighting a preventive approach, the Deputy Commissioner pointed to the crucial role of the education department. He urged school headmasters to closely monitor students with patterns of frequent absenteeism or those who drop out, actively verifying their whereabouts.
"Strengthening vigilance within the school system itself could prevent many children from being pushed into labour," Kumara noted. He warned of the severe long-term social consequences of denying children education and forcing them into labour. The goal is to stop the problem at its source.
Call for Coordinated Action and Compensation for Victims
The DC called for seamless coordination across all government departments. In a move to foster ownership, he proposed that every official take a personal pledge to make at least one taluk in the district "child labour-free." He also advocated for larger training programs in the future to strengthen preventive measures.
Adding expert perspective at the training, Venu Varghese, State Coordinator of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, made several key suggestions:
- ESI doctors should accompany raid teams for immediate medical assessment of rescued children.
- Rescued children must be formally produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and not simply let off with warnings.
- Injured child labourers are eligible for compensation of up to Rs. 3 lakh, a fact that needs wider dissemination.
- Effective inter-departmental coordination, including providing dedicated vehicles for enforcement teams, is essential for success.
DC Kumara concluded with a message of hope, stating, "If officials and the public worked together with commitment and maturity, child labour could be completely eradicated." The district's actions in 2025, with FIRs registered in 8 cases, mark a determined step towards that goal, framing the fight against child labour as a shared social responsibility.
