Mysuru: Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) R. Aishwarya instructed officials to take measures such as surprise checks for total eradication of child labour in the district.

She was speaking at the progress review meeting of District-level Executive Committee on Child Labour Eradication Task Force at DC’s office recently.

Stating that the designated officers under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986 should carry out at least surprise checks and raids in a month in their respective jurisdiction, Aishwarya instructed for holding monthly meetings at the taluk-level on child labour eradication and rehabilitation, presided by the concerned Tahsildar.

She stressed on the need for conducting anti-child labour campaigns at schools and public places in association with the Taluk Administration, Taluk Legal Services Authority and other concerned departments.

Noting that appointment of children aged under 18 years has been banned at Dasara Exhibition stalls and shops, the ADC said that the officials must take appropriate action if underaged children are found selling balloons, pens, pencils and other such articles on streets and pavements.

Aishwarya also directed officials to sensitise cracker shop owners not to engage children aged under 18 years in their stalls for any reason.

The officials should also maintain a constant vigil against engagement of child labour during Deepavali, she added.

The ADC reviewed the details regarding the checks carried out against child labour and awareness programmes and activities undertaken during the quarterly period from July 1 to Sept. 30.

Mysuru Sub-Division Labour Officer Chetan Kumar, Child Welfare Committee President M. Ravichandra, ACP Mohammad Sharif Rawathar, Labour Inspectors, Planning Officers, representatives of NGOs, members of District Anti-Child Labour Society and others were present.