The Left Front government on Wednesday faced some embarrassing moments when Congress MLA Ajay De told the Assembly that in spite of a ban on child labour, the state government has fixed wages for child labour in Bengal.

Quoting a circular issued by the directorate of agriculture, De said that the state government has fixed the minimum daily wage for child labour at Rs 61.35 per day and Rs 58.69 if he or she is provided with a meal.

De expressed surprise as to how “a government department could announce rates for child workers when employment of children was banned under the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.”

“This is a gross violation of the Act. The government should withdraw the circular,” De added. The circular was issued on October 20, 2008 with effect from October 1, 2008.

State Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen, Rural Development Minister Surya Kanta Misra and Law Minister Rabilal Moitra, who were present in the House, did not defend the government order.

The Congress MLA demanded apology from state Agriculture Minister Naren Dey and asked for his resignation over the issue. This was followed by walkout from the House by the Congress members.

Meanwhile, the Congress Legislative Party leader Manas Bhuniya said the state government has failed in serving rural poor. Implementation of all the Central schemes has failed in the state due to a faulty BPL list, he alleged and added that he would write to the Prime Minister on the issue.

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