The district administration has intensified efforts to curb child and adolescent labour, reiterating that preventing exploitation of children and teenagers remains a top priority. A district-level Task Force meeting under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 was held at the Bachat Bhawan under the chairmanship of Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Divyanshu Singhal.
Addressing the meeting, ADC Singhal stressed strict enforcement of the Act across the district. He said the law has been enacted to prevent exploitation of children and adolescents and clearly prohibits engaging children below 14 years of age in hazardous occupations. The Act also regulates the working conditions of adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years.
It was decided that Task Forces would be constituted at all sub-divisional levels under the chairmanship of respective Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to ensure effective implementation of the Act. The Labour Department has been directed to submit monthly reports to the Deputy Commissioner’s office detailing the number of inspections conducted.
ADC Singhal warned that employing children or adolescents in violation of the law is a punishable offence, carrying provisions for imprisonment and fines. He instructed the Labour Department to prepare a regular inspection schedule for institutions across the district. Emphasizing public participation, he said awareness among citizens is crucial so that violations can be reported promptly. He added that cases where children are pushed into labour due to fear of parents must be addressed seriously, and both parents and children need to be sensitized about children’s rights.
Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma asserted that children up to the age of 14 must be in school under all circumstances, stating that child labour is unacceptable in any form. He pointed out instances in Shimla city, particularly at the Ridge, Mall Road and Lower Bazaar, where children are seen selling goods, and directed authorities to take immediate action in such cases.
The meeting was attended by SDM Theog Dr Shanshak Gupta, SDM Urban Oshin, SDM Jubbal Abhishek Barwal, District Programme Officer Mamta Paul, District Welfare Officer Kapil Sharma, and other senior officials.
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