Chandigarh, June 20, 2013: Over 81 children engaged in child labour were got released by the teams of labour department during ongoing child Eradication Week observed in the state from 17 to 23 June 2013.
Disclosing this here today, Harkesh Singh Sidhu, Labour Commissioner, Punjab said that during the course of week long campaign special teams were constituted under the leadership of Deputy Commissioner concerned, these teams conducted surprise raids in 1349 different centers. He said that during such raids 81 cases of child labour were detected and 71 offenders were challaned for the offence. He said that among all these 81 cases 39 children were found to be working in dangerous occupations.
Sidhu said that challans would be submitted to the respective courts seeking punishment for the culprits. He said that such offence could attract punishment ranging from Rs 10,000 fine to 6 month imprisonment.
He said that the state government was committed to abolish the child labour from the state. He said that during the observance of this week the teams besides conducting raids have also been organising special seminars for sensitizing general population so that the children belonging to the poor family could not be deprived off their childhood.