Question : WELFARE SCHEME FOR CHILD LABOUR

(a) whether the Government has formulated any scheme for education/professional training of child labourers and potential child labourers and for bringing them into the mainstream of the country;

(b) if so, whether any welfare scheme had been launched in the year 2002-03 for the children needing care and patronage;

(c) if so, the total amount allocated for this scheme, during the last two years and the current year, year-wise;

(d) whether the Supreme Court had put a restriction on spending this amount; and

(e) if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI K. CHANDRASEKHAR RAO)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to ( e) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3004 to be answered on 20.12.2004 regarding `Welfare Scheme for Child Labour`

(a): The National Child Labour Project Scheme has been formulated by the Government to rehabilitate children working in hazardous occupations & processes as specified under the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. Under this Scheme, special schools are opened for the working children withdrawn from hazardous occupations & processes with the objective of preparing them to join the formal education system. Educational instructions, vocational training, mid-day meal, stipend and health-checks are the essential components of the scheme.

(b): The National Child Labour Project Scheme has been revised in the year 2003 to provide for enhanced amount of nutrition per child per day from Rs. 2.50 to Rs. 5.00; a provision for regular and effective health care of the children by a doctor; and a budgetary provision has been made to hire the services of a Master Trainer for each Project for imparting vocational training to the children/teachers in the NCLP schools.

(c): The Budgetary allocation for all the Child Labour Schemes for 2002-2003, 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 are Rs. 8010 Lakhs, Rs. 7243 Lakhs and Rs. 9905 Lakhs respectively.

(d) No, Sir.

(e) Does not arise.