In Anantapur, Joint Collector Ketan Garg has instructed relevant officials to launch a 20-day special drive aimed at identifying child labourers working throughout the district. This directive was issued during a district Task Force committee meeting held at the Anantapur district Collectorate's mini conference hall. According to the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the campaign against child labour will commence on November 20 and continue until December 10. As part of this initiative, inspections will be carried out at various establishments including shops, hotels, mechanic shops, terraces, brickyards, construction firms, and mines across the district. Legal action will be taken against those found employing child labourers under the age of 14. In situations where children under the age of 18 are found working in hazardous conditions in industries, the Joint Collector has directed officials to file cases against the owners of such industries. Following the identification of child labourers, appropriate measures will be taken for their rehabilitation.
In addition to taking action against employers who violate the laws and filing FIRs, cases will be registered under the Minimum Wages Act. Additional court penalties will be imposed for the duration of the child labourers' employment. The aim is to make the district a child labour-free zone through continuous special inspections. The meeting was attended by CWC chairperson Meda Ramalakshmi, Labor DC G Lakshmi Narasaiah, Social Welfare JD Madhusudan Rao, ICDS PD B Sridevi, Factories Deputy-in-Chief Inspector Kesavulu, DEO Nagaraj, Comprehensive Punishment APC Varaprasad, Labour AC Raghuramulu, Assistant Labour officers, officials of various departments, and others.
