‘The children are future of the nation as such it is our responsibility to empower them by initiating appropriate steps’ said Shri Santosh Gangwar, MoS (I/C) for  M/o Labour & Employment. The minister is confident of the steps taken by the government will make the Indian youth a aatmanirbhar. Minister added the labour reforms will be an important milestone in the history of labour of labour reforms of the country.

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He added the priority of the government is to stop child labour. He stressed that Child and Adolescent Labour, Prohibition and Regulation Act 1986 is not reformed or included in the new labour laws and it acts independently. He warned people of increase in child labour due to adverse effects of COVID-19. He highlighted the steps taken in removing child labour including amendment in child labour law in 2016 that says children below the age of 14 are protected from work in any profession  or process and adolescent  children between the age of 14 and 18 are protected against employment in hazardous industry.

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Shri Gangwar emphasized that National Child Labour Programme (NCLP) was working well for rehabilitation of child labour. He said that the stipend has been increased from Rs. 150 to Rs. 400 per month and being paid into the account of children through Direct Bank Transfer.  A PENCIL Portal  has also been started for marking  attendance online  as also for implementing stipend  payment system, while speaking at a meeting  of Central Advisory Board on Child and Adolescent Labour   through video conference yesterday

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