Moga, Nov 19: The Punjab government has launched an awareness campaign in the state against child labour, Principal Secretary, labour, S S Channy stated here today.

Talking to newspersons here, he said that the campaign would involve making the public aware of the central government notification banning employment of children in dhabas, road side eateries, retaurants, tea stalls, hotels, motels, tea shops and also as domestic servants.

The enforcement campaign would also involve conducting inspection of dhabas, tea stalls, hotels and even of residential areas to check if children are employed at these places. The campaign would involve rescuing children from their employers and also registering cases, he added.

Laying stress on educating the young, Mr Chanay said that the central government has also opened schools under National Child Labour Project in the districts of Amritsar, Jalandhar and Ludhiana for imparting free education upto primary school level. These schools also have the facility of midday meals besides giving stipends to the enrolled children.

For destitute children, shelter homes have also been opened in the state where free accommodation and meals are provided to them, he added.

Moga DC Satwant Singh Johal in this respect today held a meeting with senior officials of various departments including the labour department to take stock of the measures being adopted to check child labour. Coordinators of various non-government organisations (NGOs) also participated in this meeting.

The Deputy Commissioner also appealed to the people to inform the district administration of child labour cases.

UNI