The Punjab Labour Department was successful in rescuing over 408 children engaged as child labour during the child labour Eradication Week observed in the state from 17 to 23 June 2013. Disclosing this here today Mr. Surjit Kumar Jayani, Labour Minister, Punjab said that during the course of this activity special team were constituted under the leadership of Deputy Commissioners concerned, these teams conducted raids in 8964 different centres. He said that during such raids 408 cases of child labour were detected and 337 offenders were challaned for the offence.
He said that challans would be submitted to the respective courts that would pronounce punishment ranging form Rs 10000 fine to 6 month imprisonment. He said that among these cases, 203 children were found to be working in dangerous occupations. Maximum 99 cases of child labour were found in district Ludhiana, in Sangrur 59, in Amritsar 47 whereas in Jalandhar 31 such cases of Child Labour were detected.Mr. Jayani said that the state government was committed to abolish the child labour in the state. He said that during the observance of this week the teams besides conducting raids also organized special seminars for sensitizing general population so that the children belonging to the poor family could also enjoy their childhood.