Mysuru: “Public should join hands with various Departments by informing the officials if they come across any child labourers which would help in eradicating child labour completely by taking action on people employing children,” said Principal District and Sessions Court Judge S.L. Krishnappa Vontigodi, who also heads the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).

He was speaking after inaugurating the programme organised jointly by the District Administration, Labour Department, DLSA, District Child Labour Eradication Society and other organisations at the Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) premises on JLB Road to observe Anti-Child Labour   Day recently.

Continuing, he said that though the law to eradicate child labour came into existence in 1986, the evil practice of employing children as labourers still exist, which needs to be curbed.

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

DCP N. Vishnuvardhana, who presided over the event, called upon the public not to sit quietly if they come across child labourers besides asking the members of the public to inform Police.

Stating that it is everyone’s responsibility to eradicate child labour, the DCP said that it was in 2002 that International Labour Organisation began to observe World Anti-Child Labour Day, with the motto ‘Future Without Child Labour.’

He said that a Special Children Police Unit in city is working to stop the practice of child labour and added that the unit had solved many cases of child labour and other related cases besides rescuing children and sending them to rehabilitation homes for better future.

The DCP urged the public to at least call the Police Control Room if they do not have the phone numbers of other concerned Departments and assured that their identity  would be kept secret. “All we need is information, we do not even want your name. Just provide us with correct information and we will act upon it,” he added.

Meanwhile, DLSA Member-Secretary C.G. Mohammed Muzirulla administered the oath to help eradicate child labour.

Labour Department Assistant Commissioner A.C. Thammanna, Women and Child Welfare Deputy Director K. Radha, Factories and Boilers Department Assistant Director H. Suresh, RLHP Director K. Saraswathi and heads and office-bearers of various NGOs and organisations were present.