Ensure rescued child labourers don’t return to work: HC to govt

Taking on record the report submitted by standing counsel for the Delhi government Meera Bhatia,the Bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra asked the authorities to submit a comprehensive report by the next date,also apprising them of the penalties recovered from the offenders who employed children.

The High Court directed the secretaries of Labour,Home,Health,Social Welfare and Education departments of Delhi government,besides the Commissioners of the Delhi Police and the MCD to attend the meeting and prepare a report on the issue within four weeks.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by NGO Save the Childhood Foundation through counsel H S Phoolka,seeking direction to the government to curb child labour in the city. The petitioner alleged the Labour department has failed to rescue children who have been working with various organisations,while the Social Welfare department has failed to rehabilitate them properly. As a result,the children,even after being sent back to their home states,returned to work.