Reasi : The District Task Force Reasi conducted a special drive against child labour at Katra Market under the Pan-India Rescue and Rehabilitation Campaign.
The drive was carried out through coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders, including the Department of Labour, Health Department, Child Helpline Reasi, Child Help Desk Katra, Child Welfare Committee CWC Reasi and the District Child Protection Unit DCPU Reasi.
During the inspection of various establishments in Katra Market, the team identified two children engaged in labour. Acting promptly under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Care and Protection of Children Act, 2015 and the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act, 1986, both children were rescued and taken into safe custody.
The rescued children were provided counselling and underwent immediate medical examination by the Health Department team. Thereafter, they were produced before the Child Welfare Committee, Reasi, for further proceedings related to their care, protection, rehabilitation and restoration, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures SOPs under the Juvenile Justice framework, keeping their best interests in view.
On the sidelines of the drive, Sanjay Kumar Bhat, Assistant Labour Commissioner and District Nodal Officer, reiterated the district administration’s commitment to eliminating child labour and ensuring protection of every child from exploitation, while providing access to education, development and a safe childhood.
The authorities also appealed to employers and the general public to refrain from engaging children in labour and urged them to promptly report any such instances to the concerned authorities or the Child Helpline.
