UNI

Bangalore, Jul 17: The Karnataka Government has extended the action plan for elimination of child labour in Karnataka till 2012, Minister for Labour and Minority Welfare Mr Iqbal Ansari informed Karnataka Legislative Council on Monday.

In a written reply to Bharatiya Janata Party member Smt Vimalagouda, the Minister informed that the state government had appointed 2050 officers of various department as inspectors under child labour (prohibition and regulation) act 1986 for Karnataka shops and commercial act 1961.

The Minister said the action plan for elimination of child labour in the state, launched in the year 2001 was extended till the year 2012. The child labourers who were rescued were rehabilitated in special child labour and other mainstream schools supported by National child labour project and state child labour project.

The Labour Department also had launched an intensive awareness campaign against the practice of child labour and sensitized the public on the issue in the state.

Replying to another question by Congress member Prakash K Rathod, the Minister said as per 2001 census 39400 child labourers were identified and rehabilitated. Poverty and illiteracy of parents was the main cause which drove their children to work. The child labourers who were identified and rehabilitated were found deprive of proper food, shelter, cloathing, education and access to health.