J&K, number one in child labour: Survey

The state has 2.40 lakh child labourers

Tahir Mushtaq

JAMMU, Aug 1: Despite boasting a better comparative economic index, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has the highest number of child labourers in the country.

An independent survey conducted by a Prof Fayaz Ahmed Nikka has put the figures at 2.40 lakh in the state.

As per the survey on the 2001 Census, the researcher calculates that total child population in the age-group of 5-15 in J&K was 26, 53,422. Total enrolment in primary and middle schools in the year 2001-2002 was 14, 52,300.

The survey stated, despite increase in the literacy rate (from 30.64 per cent in 1981 to 54.46 per cent in 2001) the incidence of child labour continue to rise. Even more and more households now employ children as labourers. “The rate of child labour to total child population in J&K has gone up from 6.50 per cent in 1981 to 6.62 per cent in 2001, with 0.12 per cent increase in two decades,” reads the survey.

The survey says the low educational awareness and the backwardness of many areas have pushed the children towards labour. Almost every rich household in Srinagar and other places employ children from remote Rajuri, Kupwara and other districts for household chores. The condition of many of them is shabby.

“In fact there is no coordination between political executives, academics and bureaucrats,” he said. “The recommendations and suggestions made by the academicians during the research are never implemented by the authorities. The politicians never induct us in Committees while bureaucrats formulate policies sitting in their offices.

Minister, Abdul Gani Malik said government had carried number of survey to enumerate the number of child labourers in the State, adding, however they were refuted by the alleged employers of the children.

Unfortunately, till date neither any government agencies nor any non-governmental organisation (NGO) has come forward to save these little souls. Child labour presents a pathetic scene in Jammu and Srinagar where children who should have been in schools but are spotted in commercial establishments and private houses. Even the bureaucrats don’t spare these innocent children and put them to hard labour at their homes.

There are also reports that they also export them to other parts of the Valley. This whole scenario is a pointer towards a sheer exploitative and morally corrupt society.