NCPCR seeks report from Gujarat govt about death of children

New Delhi, Dec 19 (UNI) The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has sent notice to the Gujarat Government seeking a detailed report about the death of two children in plastic factories in the state and whether any compensation was given to their families.

On the basis of a complaint received regarding the death of ten year old Dinesh Dhirubhai on November 29 while working in a plastic factory named 'Dhanabhai No Delo' in Kumbharwada Circle and another 16 year old child on November 30, due to a fatal accident in another plastic factory in the same circle, the Commission has sought a report from the state government.

Commission Chairperson Shanta Sinha has written to the Secretary, Department of Labour&Employment of the state government recently for submitting a detailed report within 21 days on the facts and circumstances of both the cases. The NCPCR has asked the state to inform whether the case was reported to the local police and post mortem have been conducted in both the cases. If so, copy of such reports be sent.

It also wanted to know whether the work place, where the accident took place, is a factory within the definition of the Factories Act, 1948 and falls within the purview of State Shops and Establishments Act. If so, whether all statutory safety requirements were prevalent in the said factories at the time of accidents.

Whether the plastic factories in question involved occupation/processes, which are prohibited under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, the Commission has asked the state government. If so, how could ten-year-old Dinesh Dhirubhai was employed in such factory despite prohibition.

The Commission wanted to know whether both the cases have been duly investigated under all applicable labour laws and appropriate penalties and necessary actions have been taken by the Department of Labour. The report should mention what are the specific violations and the penalties imposed for the same.

UNI