SC seeks report on child labour from NHRC

The Supreme Court sought a comprehensive report from the NHRC on steps taken by the state governments to eradicate bonded and child labour.

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a comprehensive report from the NHRC on steps taken by the state governments to eradicate bonded and child labour.

HT Image

A bench comprising Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan and Justice P Sathasivam asked NHRC to assist in the matter after it was informed that the rights body in 2004 was asked to monitor the development in this regard.

Senior advocate A K Ganguly, who is assisting the court as an amicus curiae (friend of court) in the matter, said the PIL on the issue was disposed of on May 5, 2005 with a direction that the NHRC would monitor steps taken by the state government.

He informed the court about the history of litigation on the matter and said earlier the Labour Ministry had identified 14 states as vulnerable to the problem and the figure has now increased to 16.

The Bench initially was of the opinion that the issue could be brought before the concerned High Courts if effective measures were not undertaken by the state government.

However, when Ganguly said he could not do much in this regard as he was only assisting the apex court on the issue, the Bench asked the NHRC to file a comprehensive report.