NCPCR notice to Meghalaya on child labourers

New Delhi, Nov 1 (PTI) Concerned over reports of child labourers working in dismal conditions in Meghalaya's coal belts, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) today asked the state to undertake mapping of schools in the area around Jaintia Hills district. NCPCR has asked the Meghalaya government to undertake this exercise in the coal mines and coal depot areas of Lad-Rymbai and Rymbai in Jaintia Hills district. It has also asked the concerned department to ensure that mapping of schools and survey of out-of-school children in the state is done within three months, officials said. An NCPCR team had visited the state from October 16-18 to look into the problem of child labour in coal mines. The team, led by Yogesh Dube, also met the Chief Secretary and representatives from various departments including Social Welfare, Education, Labour, Mining and Police, local NGOs, among others. The visiting team had expressed its displeasure over the dismal condition of child labourers in the coal mines as well as widespread prevalence of child labour in other sectors like hotels, restaurants and market places, officials said. The team officials were also shocked to learn about the pathetic situation of the street children, disabled and HIV/AIDS affected children in the state.