Mining issue: K'taka may amend Labour Act to curb child labour

Bellary, July 15 (UNI) Taking serious note of a media report that contractors were employing children in mines in the district, the Karnataka Government is contemplating amending the State Labour Act to put down the menace with an iron hand.

Informing this to reporters here today, Labour and Minority Welfare Minister Iqbal Ansari, who was on his way to remote villages in the district following the media report, said the Centre and state government were serious about ensuring the welfare of children and protecting their rights.

He said Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy had taken serious note of the programme beamed by a private channel on Friday last on illegal mining activities and employment of children in mines for excavation work and directed him to visit the villages immediately to take stock of the situation.

Mr Ansari said no officer would be spared, if they were found guilty of dereliction of duty. A vigilance team had already been sent to the spot to monitor the work of the officers. Besides, the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police had been asked to book criminal cases against mine owners and contractors, if they were found engaging children in mining work.

The Minister also informed that to give social dignity to construction labourers, the state government had constituted 'Construction Workers Welfare Board on an experimental basis.

He said as per the Board rules, a construction worker was liable to get a housing loan of Rs 50,000, maternity benefits, marriage assistance of Rs 4,000 each for two children, medical allowance and funeral expenses. Every labourer should enroll his or her name with the department. They would also be paid a pension Rs 150 per month.

The government had set up a revolving fund of Rs one crore for the Board. Besides, the one per cent cess collected from contractors would also go to the Board, he added.

UNI XR RG TS1713