Mumbai, September 11: The Bombay High Court today observed that sending the rescued child labourers back to their families without providing them any education opportunities was futile.
The court was hearing a suo-motu petition on rescue and rehabilitation of child labourers.
The division bench of Justice Bilal Nazki and Justice A R Joshi also directed the state government to produce the details and status report of 670 children rescued till June 30 this year.
“What’s the use of sending the children back to their parents without giving any assistance,” Justice Nazki asked. The court held that the rescued children have basic right to education.
Advocate Rebecca Gonzalves, the amicus curie in the case, stated that as per the Central Government rules the state is supposed to impose fine of Rs 25,000 from the employer– be used for the child’s development.
The judges said that if the government made sure that the child went to school or took care of his educational expenses then it would be a worthwhile exercise.
Last year, the Maharashtra government had assured the court by way of an affidavit that the state will get rid of child labour by 2010.
The case will come up for further hearing tomorrow.
–Agencies