Uttar Pradesh to Form District Task Forces to Eliminate Child Labour by 2027

 

The Uttar Pradesh government has set an ambitious target to make the state completely child labour-free by 2027. To achieve this, a District Task Force will be formed under the leadership of the Labour Department, with inter-departmental coordination involving Education, Women and Child Development, Panchayati Raj, Home, Health, Social Welfare, Rural Development, Urban Development, and Vocational Education Departments.

 

This decision was taken to ensure a coordinated and effective approach at the grassroots level, enabling the identification and rehabilitation of children engaged in labour. The Task Force will work in tandem with local panchayats and community organizations to gather real-time data, conduct outreach, and implement rehabilitation programs.

 

The initiative recognizes child labour eradication as one of the most critical challenges in achieving inclusive development. The program will particularly focus on vulnerable districts and urban-rural transition zones where instances of child labour are more prevalent.

 

The Labour Department will act as the nodal agency, while the Education Department will play a vital role in mainstreaming rescued children into formal education. Nutrition programs and awareness campaigns will also be rolled out in collaboration with various departments and NGOs.

 

The data collected by the task forces will be used to implement targeted government schemes and benefits such as free school admissions, midday meals, health checkups, and vocational training for older children. Additionally, rescued children and their families will be linked to welfare schemes for long-term socio-economic support.

 

This integrated model aims not only to eliminate child labour but also to address the root causes like poverty, lack of education, and migration through sustained policy and programmatic efforts.