Parliamentary Questions

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO  1738
ANSWERED ON  17.03.2008
FAILURE OF SARVA SHIKSHA ABHIYAN .

1738  SHRI MANGANI LAL MANDAL

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to satate :-


(a) whether it is a fact that implementation of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan has not only been dissatisfactory, but also failed to achieve desired results, so far;

(b) if so, the funds allocated, released and utilized and actual achievement made, togetherwith the comprehensive details thereof ;

(c) whether it is also a fact that some States have abolished the regular and vacant posts in middle schools and high schools and appointed teachers, by paying honorarium out of the funds of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan against those posts, resulting in the decline in the standard and quality of education; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

 

ANSWER

 

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)

(a): The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan(SSA) programme is being implemented in all districts of the country to achieve the goal of universalisation of elementary education in a time bound manner, in a mission mode. Consequently since the launch of SSA all the out of school children in the 6-14 age group in the country (who numbered 320 lakh in 2001-02), have been brought in the ambit of elementary education except 75.97 lakh out-of-school children (as on 31.03.2007), who represent the difficult to reach category.

(b): Central Budget support of Rs. 10,671 Crore was provided in Budget Estimates 2007-08 for implementation of SSA. This was enhanced to Rs. 13,171 crore in the Revised Estimates 2007-08. An amount of Rs.11,336.38 crore has already been released to States/UTs as on 10.03.2008. Cumulative achievements made for key targets under SSA up to 31.12.2007 are given at Annexure.

(c) & (d): Under SSA programme 11.32 lakh teachers have been sanctioned up to 2007-08 against which 8.80 lakh teachers have been recruited till 31.12.2007. This has led to improvement in national average of Pupil Teacher Ratio (PTR) from 38:1 in 2005-06 to 36:1 in 2006-07 at primary level & from 34:1 to 32:1 at upper primary level in the corresponding period.

 
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2451
ANSWERED ON 17.03.2008

EXPLOITATION OF CHILD LABOURERS

2451. SHRI HEMLAL MURMU

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) whether the Labour Commissioners have recently conducted an inspection regarding exploitation and atrocities against the child labourers in the country;

(b) if so, the number of persons found guilty alongwith the action taken against them, State-wise;

(c) whether the children engaged in the agriculture and farming sector and employed in more strenuous physical work in the country; and

(d) if so, the details thereof alongwith the steps taken to free and rehabilitate such children?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a) & (b): Inspections and raids to detect cases of violation of Child Labour (Prohibition &Regulation) Act, 1986, are carried out from time to time by the State Governments who areappropriate authorities for enforcement of Act,in the areas that come under their jurisdiction.For the areas lying under the Central jurisdiction,inspections are carried out by the CentralLabour Commissioner's machinery. The information pertaining to inspections,violations,convictionsand prosecutions during 2006-07 as provided by the State Governments is at Annexure.

(c) & (d): Yes, Sir. Children are employed in agriculture and farming sector.However,employment ofchildren in agriculture is not prohibited under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act,1986 except in the processes where tractors, threshing and harvesting machines are used and chaffcutting is involved as also handling of insecticides and pesticides. For the rehabilitation ofChild Labour, Government is implementing the National Child Labour Project (NCLP) Scheme. Under the Scheme, children withdrawn from work are put into special schools, where they are providedwith accelerated bridging education, vocational training, nutrition, stipend and health carefacilities etc.

 
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF  LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
RAJYA SABHA
QUESTION NO  1345
ANSWERED ON  12.03.2008
RESCUE OF CHILD LABOUR IN DELHI

 

1345    SHRI V. NARAYANASAMY

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to satate :-


(a) whether it is a fact that minor children were rescued from factories in Delhi who were preparing mirror frames from broken bangles in LNJP Colony; and

(b) if so, what action Government has taken against the employers of minor children in the factories?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

(SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. As per the information received from the State Government of NCT of Delhi, an FIR under section 374 of the IPC, 26 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 and section 16 of Bonded Labour (System) Abolition Act, 1976 has been filed with the local Police for undertaking investigations of the matter as per law.
 
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 4575
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.05.2007

CHILDREN TRADING

4575. SHRI SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU
SHAILENDRA KUMAR





Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to newsitem `cheaper to buy a child than buffalo says NGO` appeared in the Hindustan Times dated April 3, 2007;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the survey conducted by Bachpan Bachao Andolan an Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO);

(d) if so, the facts given in their survey; and

(e) the response of the Government on the findings of survey alongwith the corrective steps taken/likely to be taken in this regard?

ANSWER


THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI RENUKA CHOWDHURY)

(a) Yes, Sir.

(c)&(d) As per information supplied by Bachpan Bacho Andolan, they have reported that there is a need for improving awareness on combating trafficking of children and rehabilitation and reintegration of the victims.

(b)&(e) The Ministry of Women and Child Development conducts advocacy, awareness generation and sensitization programmes for prevention of child trafficking. The Ministry of Women and Child Development also runs Swadhar Shelter Homes which provide shelter, food, clothing, emotional support, counseling, rehabilitation and other facilities to women in difficult circumstances including trafficked victims and children. The Ministry is also implementing a project to combat trafficking of women and children. The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) supplemented by the Indian penal Code prohibits trafficking in women and children for purposes of prostitution and lays down severe penalties for traffickers. The ITPA is now being further amended providing for more stringent punishment for trafficking in persons.
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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO 457
TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.05.2007

CHILD LABOURERS

457. SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR
P. SATHEEDEVI





Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) whether children continue to be employed as domestic help in various parts of the country despite the law banning their employment;

(b) if so, the number of cases booked in various States in this regard in the last six months; and

(c) the remedial steps proposed in this regard?

ANSWER



MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a) to (c): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 457 FOR ANSWER ON 07.05.2007 REGARDING `CHILD LABOURERS` BY SHRI NIKHIL KUMAR AND ADV. (SHRIMATI) P. SATHEEDEVI

(a) & (b): Under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, Government has banned the employment of children as domestic workers/servants and in dhabas, restaurants, hotels, motels, tea-shops, spas and other recreational centres etc w.e.f. 10.10.06. Since then, 2229 violations have been detected in these two occupations during the inspections carried out by the State Governments, which are the appropriate Government for the enforcement of the Act.

(c): Child Labour is a manifestation of serious socio-economic problems, an effective enforcement of the ban requires widespread public awareness on the issue and a concerted strategy for the economic empowerment of the families of child labour. The Government has already undertaken extensive media campaign in this regard and has also addressed to the State/UT Governments for taking necessary measures. Consultations have also been held with the State Governments for finalizing State Action Plans for effective enforcement of the ban coupled with a rehabilitation plan for the children affected by it in convergence with the developmental schemes of various departments.

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 756
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.03.2007

BONDED CHILD LABOURERS

756. SHRI TEK LAL MAHTO

 

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) the total number of bonded child labourers liberated from January 01, 2006 to till date, State-wise ;

(b) the details of arrangements for the rehabilitation of such children, State-wise; and

(c) the total number of such children who are living in remand home for not being rehabilitated, where they are bound to live in pathetic conditions ?

ANSWER



MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a)to(c) : A statement is annexed.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (c) OF THE LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 756 FOR ANSWER ON 05.03. 2007 BY SHRI TEK LAL MAHTO.

The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 does not make any distinction between child bondage and adult bondage. Number of bonded labour liberated and rehabilitated from January 01, 2006 to 28th February, 2007 is 165. However, the Government is separately implementing the National Child Labour Project

(NCLP) Scheme for rehabilitating all working children withdrawn from hazardous occupations and processes. Under the Scheme, working children are identified through child labour survey, withdrawn from work and put into the special bridge schools, so as to provide them with enabling environment to join mainstream education system. In these Special Schools, besides formal education, they are provided stipend @ Rs. 100/- per month, Nutrition, Vocational Training and Health check-up.

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA
 UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 99
TO BE ANSWERED ON 26.02.2007

ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR

99. SHRI C.K. CHANDRAPPAN
JASHUBHAI DHANABHAI BARAD
BALASHOWRY VALLABBHANENI
SURAVARAM SUDHAKAR REDDY
SURESH PRABHAKAR PRABHU
MOHAN RAWALE
RAMDAS ATHAWALE



 

 

 

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) whether the Government proposes to eradicate child labour completely;

(b) if so, the fresh efforts made by the Union Government in this regard;

(c) whether the Government has any new plan for bringing child labourers back into the main stream and for financially empowering their parents;

(d) if so, the details of each schemes and the funds earmarked; and

(e) the time by which these schemes are likely to come into force?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a): Yes, Sir. The Government is committed to complete elimination of child labour from the country. However, considering the nature and magnitude of the problem, a gradual and sequential approach is being followed, beginning with children working in hazardous occupations and processes and gradually covering children in non-hazardous occupations also.

(b): The National Child Labour Project Scheme is being implemented since 1988 for the rehabilitation of working children. Prior to 10th Plan, the scheme was being implemented in 100 districts. During the 10th Plan, the National Child Labour Project Scheme has been expanded to cover 250 districts in the country.

(c): The National Child Labour Project Scheme involves mainstreaming of working children into regular schools. Efforts are being made to economically empower the families of child labour by converging with various Income/Employment Generation Schemes of other Central Ministries and State Government Departments.

(d): An amount of Rs. 602/- crore has been allocated under the National Child Labour Project Scheme during 10th Plan Period for rehabilitation of working children.

(e): The Scheme is already under implementation. 

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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3744
TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2006

ILO ON CHILD LABOUR

3744. SHRI UDAY SINGH


Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) whether International Labour Organisation (ILO) has recently called for zero tolerance of violence against the child labourers and adolescents legally employed world wide as reported in The Hindu dated November 22, 2006;

(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto;

(c) whether the Government proposes to take effective steps to prevent children from working with any establishment; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a) & (b): Government has noted the contents of the News item published in the Hindu on 22.11.2006. As such, Government is committed to elimination of child labour in phased manner beginning with those engaged in most hazardous occupations and processes first.

(c) & (d): Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 prohibits employment of children in 15 occupations and 57 Processes and it regulates the working conditions in occupations which are not declared as hazardous. Sufficient deterrent provisions already exist in the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 for persons violating the provisions of the Act. The Act provides that any persons who employs any child in contravention of the provisions of the Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than three months, but which may extend to one year or with fine, which shall not be less than Rs. 10,000/- but which may extend to Rs. 20,000/- or both. Instructions are issued, from time to time, to the State Governments who are the appropriate Government, for the strict enforcement of the same. 



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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 757
TO BE ANSWERED ON 27.11.2006

ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR

757. SHRI ANANDRAO VITHOBA ADSUL
IQBAL AHMED SARADGI





Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:-


(a) whether the initiatives taken to eradicate child labour remains elusive even in sectors such as construction or mining that were declared hazardous decades ago;

(b) if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the growth in the number of child workers is driven by the new economy and children are most vulnerable to new forms of contract labour without any social security;

(d) if so, the reaction of the Union Government thereto;

(e) the action plan initiated by the Union Government to eliminate child labour by 2007;

(f) whether any direction to State Governments has also been given; and

(g) if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER


MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)

(a) to (g): A Statement is Annexed.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (A) TO (G) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 757 FOR ANSWER ON 27.11.06 REGARDING `ERADICATION OF CHILD LABOUR`BY SHRI ANANDRAO V. ADSUL AND SHRI IQBAL AHMED SARADGI

(a) & (b): As per the provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, children below the age of 14 years are prohibited from working in hazardous occupations and processes. At present, there are 15 occupations and 57 processes listed as hazardous under the Schedule to the Act, which includes Construction and Mines.

Elimination of child labour is an area of great concern and commitment for the Government of India. The problem of child labour is a socio-economic evil which is a direct consequence of poverty & illiteracy. Considering the magnitude and the nature of the problem, therefore, Government has adopted a gradual & sequential approach to withdraw and rehabilitate working children, beginning with those working in hazardous occupations/processes. Efforts are being made to withdraw children working in hazardous occupations and processes for their rehabilitation.

(c) to (e): There is no evidence to indicate that there is increase in child labour due to the new economy. Child labour is a socio-economic problem which is a direct consequence of poverty and illiteracy. Realizing the multifaceted and complex nature of this problem, Government had embarked on a holistic and multi-pronged programme to eliminate child labour from the country. The Government strategy, based on the National Policy on Child Labour announced in 1987, involves strong enforcement of the existing Act with simultaneous efforts towards rehabilitation of both parents and children through project based Action Plan and linkages with the poverty eradication and income generation programmes of the Government.

The Government of India initiated the National Child labour Project Scheme (NCLP) in 1988 to rehabilitate the working children starting with 9 Child Labour endemic districts of the country. The scheme has been progressively expanded to cover 250 districts of the country during the 10th Plan.

(f) & (g): As State Government are appropriate government for enforcement of Act in their respective areas, directions are regularly being given to them for strict enforcement, creating public awareness on the issue and for the effective implementation of the NCLP Scheme.
 
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