(a) the number of children and women working in circus companies, State/UT-wise;
(b) whether the poor children and women working in Indian circus companies are being exploited;
(c) if so, whether the Government along with the State Governments have conducted any survey
in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the steps taken/likely to be taken by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) & (b): No separate data for children and women working in circus companies is being maintained
at the Central level. However, the Government prohibits employment of children upto the age of 14 years
in circus by way of amendment in the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 in Part A of the
Schedule under the heading “Occupationsâ€.
(c) & (d): The Government has not conducted any survey with the State Governments in this regard.
(e): Elimination of child labour is an area of great concern and the Government of India is committed
to address this issue. The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986 prohibits the employment
of children below the age of 14 years in 18 Occupations and 65 Processes. Any person, who employs a
child in any occupation of process where employment of children is prohibited under the Child Labour
Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment or with fine. For rehabilitation of child labour,
the Government is implementing the National Child Labour Project Scheme since 1988.