Mandya: Deputy commissioner Kumara said that in 2025, more than 35 child labourers were rescued in Mandya district and FIRs were registered in 8 cases. Emphasising that eradicating child labour is not only the responsibility of the govt but the collective duty of every citizen, he said that enforcement officers must remain constantly alert to identify and rescue children engaged in labour.He presided over a training programme on the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, and the Rules, 2017, held at the deputy commissioner’s office. Kumara said that merely acknowledging child labour as a social evil is insufficient, and called for sustained and proactive action to eliminate the practice. “If officials and the public worked together with commitment and maturity, child labour could be completely eradicated,” he added.Call to inspect in industries, hotelsKumara cautioned that a lower number of cases should not be misconstrued as the absence of child labour, urging officials to intensify inspections in industries, hotels, stone crushers and other vulnerable sectors. He also directed officers to conduct surprise raids without prior information.Highlighting the role of the education department, the DC said school headmasters should closely monitor students with frequent absenteeism or dropouts and verify their whereabouts. “Strengthening vigilance within the school system itself could prevent many children from being pushed into labour,” he noted. He further warned that denying children education and forcing them into labour could have serious long-term social consequences.Kumara also called upon all departments to work in close coordination and proposed that each official take a pledge to make at least 1 taluk “child labour-free”. He also suggested organising larger training programmes in the future to strengthen preventive measures.State coordinator of Bachpan Bachao Andolan, Venu Varghese, suggested that ESI doctors should accompany officials during raids. He underlined that rescued children must be produced before the Child Welfare Committee and not merely released after warnings. He also said that injured child labourers are eligible for compensation of up to Rs 3 lakh, and stressed the need for inter-departmental coordination, including providing vehicles for enforcement teams.
