The labour department in Uttar Pradesh has identified at least 4,183 child labourers across the state from April 2017 to August 2018, according to an RTI reply. It also revealed that cases were registered against 177 employers in 20 districts during the period.

According to the RTI, 2,962 child labourers were identified between April 1, 2017 and March 31, 2018 while 1,221 such children were identified from April to August 31, 2018. The highest number of child workers were found in Agra (268). Less than 10 child labourers were found in some districts including Amroha (9), Badaun (4) and Etah (5).As many as 1,244 child labourers were rescued from 75 districts.

Umesh Gupta, a Lucknow-based social worker who had filed the RTI query, said, “The actual figures of child labourers in the state should be much more than 4,183. Children working in shops, eateries and factories is a common sight across UP. It is difficult to believe the government estimates that some districts have less than 10 child labourers.”

According to the RTI, 1,244 child labourers were rescued from 75 districts. While 846 children were rescued from April 1, 2017 to March 31, 2018, 398 were rescued from April to August 31, 2018.

Meanwhile, the labour department has registered cases against 177 employers in 20 districts from April to September 2018. Of these, the highest number of cases were filed in Agra (20) followed by Bulandshahr (19). No action has been taken against even a single employer in 55 districts. “This shows the lackadaisical approach of the authorities,” added Gupta