In a strong declaration against the persistent issue of child labour, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary has announced that the state government will significantly intensify its efforts to eradicate this social curse. Speaking at a programme organized by the labour resources department and the Bihar State Child Labour Commission in Patna on Thursday, Choudhary emphasized the urgent need for collective commitment to ensure every child is in school rather than at work.
Moving Beyond Paperwork to Tangible Results
Choudhary delivered a pointed critique of bureaucratic inefficiencies, urging officials to transcend mere paperwork and deliver concrete, visible results on the ground. "If I were to go out with you on the streets right now, we would find far more children in Patna working than the number you claim to have rescued," he stated bluntly. The deputy CM stressed that showcasing achievements on paper is insufficient; the real impact must be evident in communities across Bihar.
Government Support and Expanded Outreach
The deputy CM highlighted the government's ongoing support for students through scholarships at the matriculation, intermediate, and graduation levels. He appealed to organizations involved in rescue operations to broaden their outreach efforts, setting an ambitious target of making every panchayat in Bihar free from child labour. "Large-scale and effective campaigns will have to be launched to eradicate child labour from Bihar," Choudhary asserted, warning that if the situation does not improve, the government will take serious action against those responsible.
Multi-Departmental Collaboration and National Participation
The programme witnessed participation from officials across key departments, including labour, education, social welfare, and panchayati raj, alongside legal experts and representatives from various civil society organizations. Notably, delegates from Odisha, Assam, and Maharashtra were also present, indicating a broader regional concern and collaborative approach to tackling child labour.
Vision for a Child Labour-Free Bihar
Deepak Anand, Secretary of the Department of Labour Resources and Migrant Workers' Welfare, reinforced the government's unwavering objective: achieving "zero child labour" in the state. Ashok Kumar Badal, Chair of the Bihar State Child Labour Commission, echoed this sentiment, noting that the dream of a developed India remains incomplete unless every child has the opportunity to study, play, and pursue their aspirations freely.
Root Causes and Legal Challenges
Arvind Kumar Singh, Vice-Chairman of the commission, addressed the underlying drivers of child labour, pointing to persistent poverty and illiteracy as key factors. Despite employing children below the age of 14 being a criminal offence, these socio-economic challenges continue to fuel the practice, underscoring the need for comprehensive strategies that go beyond enforcement to include education and economic support for families.
The deputy CM's call to action marks a renewed and intensified phase in Bihar's fight against child labour, with a clear focus on accountability, expanded outreach, and visible societal change.
