Bihar claims 100 pc children covered under primary education

New Delhi, June 3 (UNI) In its affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, Bihar claimed to have achieved its goal of 100 per centy coverage of Children under primary education schemes in its bid to eradicate child labour.

Three states and the union territory of Dadra&Nagar Haveli have filed affidavits as per directions of the apex court on February 7, passed on a PIL seeking to ban child labour throughout the country.

The apex court had issued notices to the Centre, the states of Bihar, Meghalaya and Karnataka and Dadra&Nagar Haveli on a PIL filed by Mrs Shantha Sinha, Professor of Political Science in Hyderabad University and others seeking implementation of Article 21 (A) which declares that education is the fundamental right for all children in the age group of six to 14 years.

According to the petitioners, India has about 100 million children in the age group of six to 14 years who work as child labour, in violation of the law.

All the four respondents who have filed their affidavits have supported the petitioners and have pledged to work whole heartedly for abolishing child labour.

Bihar said the concentration of child labour in factories registered under Factory Act, 1948 is almost non-existent. The state added they there is no concentration of child labour in Bihar in factories.

Bihar said the child labour were mostly found employed in 'Bidi and Brick Kiln' industries since they were Working with their parents, they are not considered as child labour the relevant provisions.

Karnataka said it has already banned employment of children below 14 years of age. The state has taken several steps regarding child welfare and is seriously contemplating amendments in the labour laws to bring these laws in conformity with Article 21 (A) of the constitution.

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