Visakhapatnam: In a major crackdown on child labor in Visakhapatnam, authorities rescued 170 children across 10 operations conducted by the district task force committee on child and adolescent labor. These efforts led to 10 prosecutions, with Rs 6.5 lakh awarded to cover wage differences under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948. Additionally, Rs 20,000 was collected in nine cases for the child and adolescent labor rehabilitation fund.
These findings were discussed at the 12th district task force committee meeting, chaired by Visakhapatnam Collector MN Harendhira Prasad. Officials reviewed the outcomes of previous rescue and rehabilitation drives and strategized the effective implementation of child labor laws, including the Child & Adolescent Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, its 2016 Amendment, and the 2017 Rules.
Deputy Commissioner of Labour M. Suneetha announced a special quarterly drive from January 10 to March 31, as per the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) directives. A dedicated rescue team comprising police, labor, revenue, education, health officials, NGOs, and the district child protection unit has been formed to strengthen enforcement.
