This is with reference to your editorial, ‘Legislating social change’ (May 18). The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act,1986, so far has been ineffective in curbing child labour. It has inherent weaknesses, contravening Article 21-A of the Constitution and the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, that makes schooling compulsory for all in the age group 6 to 14 years. The 1986 Act fails to regulate adolescent labour as mandated by the ILO Conventions 138 and 182. Hence, arguably, it calls for amendments. However, the proposed amendments appear to be retrograde in its nature as it allows children below 14 years to work in family enterprises and the audio-visual industry as long as their employment does not meddle with their education. This is very subjective and cannot provide any qualitative relief to child labour.

It is astonishing to learn that the Budget allocation for the ministry of women and child development has been reduced from ₹18,588 crore to ₹10,382 crore. Therefore, the remedy lies in integrating existing laws such as the RTE Act, the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act,1976, the Factory Act,1948, and the Beedi and Cigar Workers’ Act,1996. This integration should be overhauled and overseen by the ministry, which can then rescue, rehabilitate and provide schooling to all those who are affected.

VK Sridhar

Erode

Many children below 14 are forced to work for reasons of poverty. The parents of these children will be found to have medical issues or have high debts. Such parents need to be provided medical insurance; banks should also impose lower rates of interest on their loans. We need to ensure that remote villages have insurance facilities with nominal premium and money is provided at low interest rates.

Kamal Anil Kapadia

Mumbai

You are right: policymakers and critics do not pay enough attention to the economic imperative. It is a fact that in rural areas the levels of income generation are low compared to counterparts in semi-urban and urban areas due to various reasons. Poverty is the principal driver of child labour around the world and any meaningful attempt at reducing this must necessarily focus on first addressing subsistence constraints. It is also true that some of the poor families send their wards to schools only so they can have a mid-day meal. Hence, a balanced approach which ensures minimum social and economic security to poor families, and arrangements for night school for those interested in education will help.

TSN Rao

Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh

No law will work if it doesn’t take into account the fundamentals of the problem it wants to address. But by this amendment the government will provide a free hand to those who are exploiting children. If it is because of poverty that child labour exists in this country, why not provide food coupons to families below the poverty line and establish more schools so that they can have a decent education? Poverty should not be used as an excuse to let our children toil as labourers. The government needs to address the fundamental problem of poverty to effect a much needed social change. Enacting laws without fundamental flaws is a starting point for this.

CR Arun

Email

No ulterior motives

I disagree with the views expressed by KN Balagopal in ‘Brazen contempt for the Rajya Sabha’ (May 18).

While one appreciates the concerns raised, there is little proof that the government has an ulterior motive. Time and again the Prime Minister himself and his ministers have gone on record appealing to both Houses to discuss and show how the Bills can be made more effective. The writer is wrong to advocate the supremacy of Upper House.

Dashesh Desai

Thane, Maharashtra

Erratum

* With reference to the report ‘Transfer of stake to staff: Housing CEO challenges Zomato, Ola founders’ (May 16), Housing has clarified that Pratik Seal, CMO, Housing.com, has not resigned. The error is regretted.

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