30-11-2012, 01:31 PM
Child Labour and Story of Indian Government
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I was going through pages of one of the magazines, when I came across an article by Nishit Kumar that talk about child labour and how much child labour is contributing to India’s growth. (http://www.childlineindia.org.in/Child-L...-story.htm) It talks about various things which I will put in short and then will try to show the actions that were taken to abolish it, were really helpful or not. The theory is that small the share of population between 15-60, more will be the contribution of the productive population to GDP growth. The facts can be seen by visiting the link.
What government did?
Government appointed Gurupadaswamy that observed that as long as poverty remains, it would be difficult to totally eliminate child labour. Committee recommended a ban on child labour in hazardous areas and a multiple policy to deal with the problems of working children. Based on that child labour act was enacted in 1986.
My opinion
As observed by committee in 1979, Inspite of knowing that as long as poverty remains, it would be difficult to totally eliminate child labour, why did not government think about taking steps to abolish or remove poverty first from the country? Why is it that the government helps the needy people only at the time of disaster, by providing them food and basic necessities and not think about helping them every time whether it is a disastrous situation or normal situation, to remove poverty?
Why it is that government always comes forward to help at the time of election? It is good to see that there are many free schools that are run by the government for deaf and physically challenged children, which to some extent is reducing the numbers of child labour but there are many issues in the country which need to be considered and taken care. These are the children, when not provided education, look for some jobs that and that leads to become child labours.
There are many issues which government has to think about, and the government cannot escape from these issues like poverty, hike in prices etc.
The child labour Act prohibits employment of children in certain specified hazardous occupations and processes and regulates the working conditions in others.
Now the question arises that why the act that was enacted prohibits employment of children in certain specified hazardous occupations and not at all places? According to this act, this can be concluded that a child of 14 or below 14, working in those specified and hazardous occupations, mentioned by government, are only eligible for being called as child labours. This is totally a fish and that’s why child labours are contributing a lot to the growth and also becoming ill and are even dying working in those hazardous places. Every child has a right to enjoy his childhood and that can only be done when each one gets that kind of environment. The policies adopted by government are only for name sake. If government is not taking the initiative to remove poverty and child labour from the country then every individual has to take the responsibility to give children, knowledge and groom them with different skills that can help them survive and live a good standard life. We can take up small segments in different areas where we are residing; collect all unprivileged and uneducated children and can groom them with skills and knowledge. If only two days out of a week can be devoted to these children, it can be very helpful to them.
Every individual needs to be considered and taken care. Government has to move according to different segments, established in the country. Otherwise India will be same in 2020 and 2050, what it was in 2000 and 1980, and in previous years.