Cuttack: Amid all the glitters and euphoria in the Silver City, which is decked up with pretty expensive puja pandals, the stark reality of child labour persists here throwing an open challenge to the district administration to curb the menace.
One can find child labourers at hotels, fast food stalls and temporary variety stores opened by traders from outside the city for the Durga Puja. Roadside eateries and stalls at Dolamundai Square, Gaurishankar Park and Chandi temple areas have become the underbelly of the city insofar as child labour is concerned.
The Labour department and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) have turned a blind eye to the child labourer issue. “Most of the fast food stalls and temporary shops engage child labourers during Dussehra. Although the authorities concerned are quite aware of the issue, they seldom bother to take any action in this regard,” said a social activist.
Childline coordinator Narayan Sukla said shopkeepers are flouting the labour laws by engaging child labourers. “Engaging child labourers (below 14 years) is an offence as per the law. But, no one here is serious about the issue. Regular inspection on roadside eateries and temporary variety stores can discourage shopkeepers to engage child labourers,” he said.
District labour officer Banamali Mahapatra said they could not launch a special drive to trace child labourers due to puja vacation. On the other hand, district child protection officer Pragati Mohanty said they have not received any direction with regard to child labourers from the district labour officer.
“It is unfortunate that we have failed to eradicate the menace of child labour. The issue has raised several questions on our social and administrative system,” said CWC former chairman Bikash Mahapatra.
When contacted, Collector Aravind Agrawal said they will look into the issue soon.