Control of child labour stressed in legal awareness programme
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, May 29 2011: Even though the laws enforced cannot effectively control child labour, attempts should be made to reduce children engaged as labourers, Chief Justice (Retd) RK Manisana of Gauhati High Court said today, speaking as chief guest in the one-day legal awareness programme held at Uripok Cheirap Court complex.

Speaking at the inaugural function of the programme hosted by the Manipur Legal Services Authority (MLSA), the Chief Justice (Retd) said even though the age limit of being a child is fixed differently under different Acts, generally an individual of age 18 or below is considered to be a child.

India is considering enforcing the UN Convention on Child Rights.

Rights to Education and Rights to Food to check child labour, he said.

Speaking as president of the function, Justice T Nandakumar, executive chairman of MLSA, reminded that the draft action plan of the National Legal Service Authority for the year 2010-11 also includes provisions to protect the rights of children.

Chief guest, Advocate General, N Koteshwor said to take up legal protection work is part of the development of the society.

For the protection of children, effective implementation of Acts and Laws which are in force is a must and it is the duty of all citizens to respect the Acts and translate it into work.

Retired Gauhati High Court Judge, Justice Asok Potsangbam, who talked as guest of honour said that the judiciary had made great efforts to make the Right To Education a fundamental right.

At the technical session of the awareness programme, Civil Judge (Media Division), Manipur West, Serto Kom, talked on the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act 2009, Elangbam Tomba Singh, Deputy Labour Commissioner spoke on the Eradication of Child Labour and Bonded Child Labour, Advocate Dr Ch Narendra on Problem of Child Labour in India and Unborn Victimization and A Guneshwor Sharma, presiding officer, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Manipur talked on Child Labour (Prohibition & Regularization) Act 1986 .

As part of the awareness programme a Lok Adalat was also conducted in which cases related with motor accident claims pending with the National Assurance Company, United Assurance Company and New India Assurance Company were settled.

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