Mysuru: The District Administration along with District Legal Services Authority, National Child Labour Project Society and voluntary organisations had organised a programme to observe World Anti-Child Labour Day at the Institution of Engineers on JLB Road here this morning.

The programme was inaugurated by 5th Additional District and Sessions Court Judge C.M. Joshi. In his inaugural address, Judge Joshi said that there were about 1.5 crore child labourers in the country and added that the government alone cannot eradicate this practice. He urged the NGOs and other organisations to join hands with the government to put a stop to this evil practice.

Stating that education is very essential to children, Judge Joshi said that the parents should ensure that their children attend schools besides urging the parents not to send small children to work just to help the family.

Deputy Commissioner (DC) D. Randeep, who presided over the function, said that awareness on the ill-effects of child labour should be created among the public and added that a scientific survey on child labourers should be conducted.

He called upon the public to call 1098 if they come across child labourers so that the department concerned could act immediately and rescue the children and send them to rehabilitation besides stating that this was the only weapon they had at present to prevent child labour.

Later, advocates B.M. Marappa and A.M. Bhaskar conducted workshop on Labour Act, Child Rights, Child Marriage Prohibition Act etc., on the occasion.  

Deputy Director of Women and Child Welfare Department K. Radha, Director of Don Bosco Makkalaalaya Fr. Francis John, Member Secretary of District Legal Services Authority C.G. Mohammed Muzirulla, Assistant Labour Commissioner A.C. Thammanna, National Child Labour Project Society Project Officer H.P. Mallikarjun, Mysuru Hotel Owners Association President C. Narayanagowda and others were present.