Chandigarh Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) organized a round table conference on the occasion of World Day against Child Labour at UT Guest House, Sector 6, Chandigarh. Kamal Kishor Yadav, IAS, Commissioner Municipal Corporation UT Chandigarh was the chief guest of the Programme. The Programme started with the resolution put forth by Hardeep Singh, Sr. Deputy Mayor, Municipal Corporation, UT Chandigarh to mourn the death of Master Fetehvir Singh (two years old child) in a borewell in Punjab followed by a two-minute silence.Ms Harjinder Kaur, Chairperson, CCPCR welcomed the chief guest and all other invitees from various departments and civil society. She reported with a happy note that some markets have been made child labour free but it is not enough. We have to work more zeal with dedication in a coordinated manner to tackle this social issue which has legal implications. She stressed to make the stakeholders accountable to get the result in time bound manner and commission will take the issue with the Chandigarh administration at all level.Ms Sangita Vardhan gave the keynote address and elaborating social causes of child labour. She further said that prevention is more important than rescue and stressed more coordination among different stakeholders.Sh. Varun Beniwal, ALC, Labour Department, assured full support of his department and hope to eliminate child labour with coordinated efforts in future. Inspector Sh. Sukhdeep Singh, Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU), Chandigarh suggested one unit comprising officials from all the related department operating be set up for prompt action if required.
He further suggested that a special vehicle be arranged with a team for child rescue immediately.Sh. Anil Vohra, President, Chandigarh Beopar Mandal (CBM), Chandigarh stated that they have been successful in making five markets child labour free and promised to make four more markets child labour free Shorty.Sh. Kamaljit Singh Panchi, President, Chandigarh Traders Association (CTA), Chandigarh highlighted the existence of Domestic Child Labour which more tough to handle that child labour in markets. Sh. Baljinder Singh Bittu, President, Federation of Sectors Welfare Associations of Chandigarh (FOSWAC), Chandigarh suggested the need to rescue the roadside beggars with periodic operations.Sh. Mahavir Singh, Member Secretary, SLSA sensitize the participants of various provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2016. He further stressed the moral responsibility of civil society and the legal responsibilities of government agencies in this regard and their convergence. He also suggested having one nodal officer to be designated from each concerned department for effective implementation of the provisions of the act. Sh. Hardeep Singh, Sr Deputy Mayor, Municipal Corporation, UT Chandigarh suggested to sensitize the beggar families about family planning and suggested to work together in a mission mode and wanted periodic monitoring.Sh. Kamal Kishor Yadav, IAS, Commissioner Municipal Corporation shoed happiness to note that all the stakeholders sitting together to eradicate this problem and hoped that with such coordination we will get positive result definitely. He assured his full support for this noble cause to the Commission.The Conference ended with vote of thanks given by Dr. Monica M Singh, Member CCPCR.