Black Money through Child Labour

As per Census 2001 figures there were 1.26 crore working children in the country in the age group of 5-14. As per the Survey conducted by National Sample Survey Organisation (NSSO) in 2004-05, the number of working children in the country were estimated as 90.75 lakh.

No such report has been received in the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.

The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 occupations and 65 processes. Any person who employs a child in any occupation or process where employment of children is prohibited under the Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment for term which shall not be less than 3 months but which may extend to one year or with fine ranging from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 20,000/-. For the rehabilitation of Child Labour, Government is implementing National Child Labour Project (NCLP) scheme in 266 districts in 20 States. Under the NCLP scheme children withdrawn from work are admitted into the special schools where they are provided with bridging education, vocational training, stipend, health care and mainstreamed to the regular education system.

The Minister of Labour and Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge gave this information in reply to a question in the Lok Sabha.