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.