Jharsuguda, June 24:- A large district-level consultation meeting and workshop on the eradication of child labour was organized at the DMF Auditorium Hall in the Collectorate premises under the joint initiative of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) and the Jharsuguda District Administration.
The programme was attended by Mrs. Babita Patra, Chairperson of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights, as the Chief Guest. Other dignitaries present included MLA Shri Tankadhar Tripathy, OSCPCR Member Mrs. Chandana Das, Collector Shri Kunal Motiram Chavan, Additional District Magistrate Shri Lalit Soreng, Additional Superintendent of Police James Samad, Shri Nawal Agrawal (representative of the Revenue and Disaster Management Minister), Mrs. Rina Patel (representative of the Member of Parliament), Shri Saroj Kumar Barik (Resource Person, OSCPCR), and District Labour Officer Mrs. Sunita Lakra. They spoke on child protection and the campaign for eliminating child labour.
District-level and block-level officers from various departments, NGO representatives, voluntary organizations, and media personnel also participated in the programme.
District Labour Officer Mrs. Sunita Lakra delivered the welcome address and highlighted various initiatives being undertaken to completely eradicate child labour in the district. Shri Tarun Kumar Mohanty, Assistant Labour Officer, Lakhanpur, conducted the proceedings. In his welcome speech, Collector Shri Kunal Motiram Chavan stated that the Jharsuguda District Administration remains fully committed to the protection of children and their rights.
Addressing the gathering, OSCPCR Chairperson Mrs. Babita Patra said:
“Every child is the future of our society. They have a constitutional right to education, a happy childhood, and a dignified life. We must create widespread awareness so that no child loses their childhood to labour. Instead of tools of labour, children’s hands should hold pens, and instead of carrying bricks, their shoulders should carry school bags. Only through collective efforts can we build a child labour-free Jharsuguda.”
She further emphasized the need for proper coordination among all government departments to ensure the protection of children of seasonal migrant workers, prevent school dropouts, and eliminate child begging in urban areas. She urged voluntary organizations to actively contribute through skill development programmes and awareness campaigns. She also called upon Childline (1098) and the District Social Welfare Office to work together in rescuing child labourers and helping their families achieve economic stability through employment opportunities.
Mrs. Patra requested the administration to involve Mission Shakti Self-Help Group (SHG) women and provide them with vocational and technical training. She also appealed for the creation of child labour-free wards, villages, and panchayats, along with efforts to eradicate child marriage.
Speaking on the occasion, MLA Shri Tankadhar Tripathy stated:
“We should not limit ourselves to meetings alone. We need to assess and review our own responsibilities. We must examine how effectively government guidelines are being implemented at the grassroots level.”
He expressed concern over the growing attraction of adolescents towards mobile phones, which affects their future prospects. He suggested organizing large-scale career counselling and skill development programmes for students of Classes IX and X with support from MCL’s CSR funds and monitoring their progress on a monthly basis.
The MLA informed that 955 individuals have already been provided employment opportunities in various sectors. He also directed the District Labour Officer to identify hotels, dhabas, and commercial establishments employing children and ensure the complete rescue and rehabilitation of such child workers.
Mrs. Rina Patel, representative of the Member of Parliament, stated that it is everyone’s responsibility to advance education and culture in society. She urged all stakeholders to take strong steps from now onwards to make Jharsuguda completely free from child labour and illiteracy by 2036, marking the centenary of Odisha’s formation, thereby contributing towards a Developed Odisha.
Additional District Magistrate Shri Lalit Soreng provided information on the current status of Jharsuguda district and various initiatives being undertaken by the administration.
The second session of the workshop featured an interactive question-and-answer programme. Discussions focused on strengthening the district-level task force, conducting regular monthly review meetings, preparing rehabilitation reports for rescued children, and developing a roadmap to transform every village in the district into a child-friendly village.
OSCPCR Member Mrs. Chandana Das outlined future action plans and formally thanked all participants.
During the workshop, Shri Saroj Kumar Barik, Resource Person of OSCPCR, delivered a detailed presentation on various aspects of child labour eradication and conducted an interactive session.
Among others present were District Child Protection Officer Shri Sunanda Maharana, Assistant Labour Officer Priyanka Sahu (Jharsuguda), Assistant Labour Officer Shri Deepak Ekka (Kirmira), Assistant Labour Officer Shri Debashish Tarai (Kolabira), staff members of the District Labour Office, officials of the District Information and Public Relations Office, district and block-level officers, NGO representatives, voluntary organizations, and media personnel, all of whom actively participated in the discussions.
