35 child labourers get new lease of life

Ongole: The children working in chilli fields in Naguluppalapadu, Parchur and Inkollu mandals, to supplement the income of their parents, by leaving behind their schools are a delighted lot with The Hans India helping them to get back to their studies. As many as 35 children involved in back-breaking work of plucking chillies under the blazing sun were rescued by officials from Childline, Labour, and Education departments on Thursday.

• Following a news story in these columns, district administration visits chilli farms in Naguluppalapadu and Parchur mandals to shift children working there to nearby schools
• Most of these children, aged below 14 years, have left their studies back home to migrate with their families in search of livelihood
• Officials promise to continue the drive, and thank Hans India for championing the cause

The rescued children were inducted into various schools and Anganwadi centers to help them continue their education. The officials also promised to step up inspections to prevent any more children taking up works in fields. On March 21, The Hans India carried a story titled ‘Children toil in chilli farms in searing heat’ in these columns, shedding light on the plight of children belonging to migrant families.

Farmers from Mahabubnagar and Kurnool districts migrated to Prakasam district in search of livelihood; they also put their children (most of them aged below 14 years) to work in the fields. These children work in harsh weather conditions out of compulsion, leaving behind their studies back home. Upon learning the horrific story from the newspaper, the district administration swung into the action in coordination with Childline.

On Thursday, a team consisting of Childline member, Labour officer, MEO, local MPP, sarpanch among others visited the farms and camps of migrant farmers. They rescued about 35 children, most of whom are below 14 years of age in Koniki village. They were inducted into Zilla Parishat Elementary School at Koniki, Zilla Parishat High School in Duddukuru and local anganwadi centers based on their previous education and age.

The MEO has made necessary arrangements like lunch and books, and ordered the parents to send their children regularly to schools as long as they work in the vicinity. The parents too responded favourably and said they were ready to send their kids to schools. A mother of a rescued child said: “We are taking them to farms as there would be no one to take care of the children in the camp. If the government makes arrangements for their safety and education, we would be happy to send them there.”

Labour department official A V L Sukanya said: “We educated the families of the farmers about the right to education and child labour laws. We asked them to send the children to the schools and anganwadi centers before they start work in the farms.”