Analysis of legislative provisions and enactments in India related to child labour with special reference to child ragpicking

Pages: 693-697
Satwant Singh (Department of Social Work, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab)

India has passed a number of constitutional protections and laws on child labour, before and after its independence from colonial rule. The Constitution of India in the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy prohibits child labour below the age of 14 years in any factory, mine, restaurant or engagement in any other hazardous employment. But every form of child labour including ragpicking is prevalent in almost all the regions of the country. The practice of child ragpicking is a worst form of child labour that has not been duly recognized by law makers in India. Therefore, the present study aims at the investigation of the legislative provisions for child labour in India with special reference to child ragpicking thereof.