Kerala intensifies efforts to eliminate child labour by next year: Min
Thiruvananthapuram: The women & child development department is taking strong measures to make
Kerala
a child labour-free state, said minister Veena George.
As part of 'Saranabalyam' project, implemented to identify and rehabilitate kids involved in
child labour
, 704 rescue drives were organised in the last financial year.
Fifty-six children at risk of child labour were identified and rehabilitated, said George.
I
n 2025, a survey was conducted in all districts to identify child labour and child begging, resulting in the identification of 140 hotspots. Efforts are being intensified in these hotspots, with the cooperation of labour department and police, aiming to completely eliminate child labour by next year, the minister said.
Most hotspots were identified in Ernakulam district (30). Other hotspots include Thiruvananthapuram (12), Kollam (11), Pathanamthitta (6), Alappuzha (10), Kottayam (7), Idukki (13), Thrissur (9), Palakkad (4), Malappuram (9), Kozhikode (4), Wayanad (8), Kannur (10) and Kasaragod (7). Hotspots were found in areas such as festival sites, companies and plantations, with activities focused on these locations.
The Saranabalyam project is linked with 'Kaval Plus' programme to provide long-term services and rehabilitate children. Rescued children are brought before the child welfare committee (CWC); those from other states are sent back to their respective state's CWC.
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Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Kerala intensifies efforts to eliminate child labour by next year: Min
Thiruvananthapuram: The women & child development department is taking strong measures to make Kerala a child labour-free state, said minister Veena George. As part of 'Saranabalyam' project, implemented to identify and rehabilitate kids involved in child labour , 704 rescue drives were organised in the last financial year. Fifty-six children at risk of child labour were identified and rehabilitated, said George. I n 2025, a survey was conducted in all districts to identify child labour and child begging, resulting in the identification of 140 hotspots. Efforts are being intensified in these hotspots, with the cooperation of labour department and police, aiming to completely eliminate child labour by next year, the minister said. Most hotspots were identified in Ernakulam district (30). Other hotspots include Thiruvananthapuram (12), Kollam (11), Pathanamthitta (6), Alappuzha (10), Kottayam (7), Idukki (13), Thrissur (9), Palakkad (4), Malappuram (9), Kozhikode (4), Wayanad (8), Kannur (10) and Kasaragod (7). Hotspots were found in areas such as festival sites, companies and plantations, with activities focused on these locations. The Saranabalyam project is linked with 'Kaval Plus' programme to provide long-term services and rehabilitate children. Rescued children are brought before the child welfare committee (CWC); those from other states are sent back to their respective state's CWC.
United News of India
20 hours ago
- United News of India
Kerala will become child labour-free State soon
Thiruvananthapuram, June 28 (UNI) Kerala will soon become a child labour-free state with the effective intervention of the Women and Child Development Department to completely eradicate child labour. As part of the 'Saranabalyam' project, aimed at identifying and rehabilitating children involved in child labour, the Women and Child Development Department conducted 704 rescue drives in the last financial year, Kerala Health, Women and Child Development Minister Veena George has said. During these drives, 56 children, who were at risk of being engaged in child labour, were identified and rehabilitated. In 2025, a comprehensive survey was carried out across all districts to identify instances of child labour and child begging. The survey identified 140 hotspots where child labour is more likely to occur. Operations have been intensified in these areas with the cooperation of the Labour Department and the police, with the goal of completely eradicating child labour by next year, she said. The highest number of hotspots (30) was identified in Ernakulam district. The numbers in other districts are Thiruvananthapuram – 12, Kollam – 11, Pathanamthitta – 6, Alappuzha – 10, Kottayam – 7, Idukki – 13, Thrissur – 9, Palakkad – 4, Malappuram – 9, Kozhikode – 4, Wayanad – 8, Kannur – 10, and Kasaragod – 7. Hotspots are mostly located in festival grounds, industrial areas, plantations, and similar sectors. Therefore, operations are primarily focused on such locations. The Saranabalyam project is being integrated with the Kaval Plus project to provide long-term services for the rehabilitation of rescued children. These children are presented before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC). If the rescued children are from other states, they are sent back to the CWCs in their respective states. If that is not possible, the department takes full responsibility for their protection and rehabilitation. If anyone notices incidents of child labour, they can report it by calling 1098 (Childline) or sending a message to the WhatsApp number 82818 99479. UNI DS ARN
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Child labour: survey finds 140 hotspots
A survey conducted by the Women and Child Development (WCD) department this year in all districts to detect child labour and child beggary detected 140 hotspots, Minister for Women and Child Development Veena George has said. The maximum number of hotspots were found in Ernakulam district – 30. Thiruvananthapuram had 12 hotspots, Kollam 11, Pathanamthitta six, Alappuzha 10, Kottayam seven, Idukki 13, Thrissur nine, Palakkad four, Malappuram nine, Kozhikode four, Wayanad eight, Kannur 19, and Kasaragod seven, a statement quoting the Minister said. These hotspots covered festival zones, companies, and plantations. Efforts to check child labour and beggary centred on these locations would be strengthened by the WCD in association with the Labour department and the police to completely eliminate child labour by next year, the Minister said. Last financial year, 704 rescue drives were held as part of the Sarana Balyam project implemented by the WCD to identify children engaged in child labour and rehabilitate them. Fifty-six children found likely to engage in child labour were rehabilitated. The Minister said Sarana Balyam had been linked to Kaval Plus to provide long-term services and rehabilitate children. Those rescued were presented in front of child welfare committees (CWCs). If they belonged to other States, they were sent to the CWCs of their respective States. If that was not possible, their care and protection and rehabilitation was taken up by the WCD. In case of child labour incidents, call 1098 or message 8281899479 on WhatsApp.
