Rs 3,773 cr plan to check child labour

Mathura, June 18 (UNI) With a view to check child labour, a Rs 3,773 crore plan has been sent for the approval of the Labour Ministry under the 11th Five Year Plan.

''Regardless of a law in place, reports of child labour exploitation are coming to notice regularly, following which a proposal has been sent for ministry's approval to check the menace,'' Vice-chairman of Child Labour Advisory Board Jyoti Satiya said here.

She noted several incidents of child abuse had come to light in Saharanpur, Mathura and Meerut.

The plan would cover about 600 districts in 29 states, where a provision to rehabilitate the child labourers would be made.

Out of the allotted fund, nearly 20 centres would be opened, where free education, clothing, food and health facilities would be provided to about 50 children at each centre.

Besides, an account in the name of each child would be opened with Rs 100 as contribution every month. The money would later be given to the children concerned.

According to her, the number of child labourers in the country stood at 1.13 crores in 1991, whereas, in 2001 it was 1.26 crores.

Uttar Pradesh accounted for over 19 lakh child labourers in 2001.

UNI