Yadgir district in Karnataka has reported the highest number of child labour rescues in the past four years in the state. About 289 children have been freed since 2022, according to labour department data. Between January and September this year alone, 512 children were rescued across the state, and officials expect the figures to increase as operations continue.

Most rescues in recent years have taken place in Mysuru, Belagavi, Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, and Chikkaballapura. In Yadgir, children are commonly found working in cotton and chilli-crushing units, on agricultural fields, or transported in vans to various worksites, said Ravi Kumar, additional commissioner of the labour department. He noted that teams must gather evidence before conducting rescues.

Under Section 17 of the Child and Adolescent Labour Act, 11 government departments are empowered to intervene when a child is found at a workplace. While adolescents aged 14 to 18 may work in non-hazardous sectors, they are allowed to do so only outside school hours. The department has asked the Centre to classify additional activities as hazardous. “We sent the proposal a year ago and have responded to all queries. Once notified, stricter action will be possible,” Kumar said.

Officials say family-driven labour continues to be a major issue, with parents facing penalties of up to ₹20,000 for repeated violations, as per the 2016 amendment. Still, financial stress remains the primary reason children—mostly boys, but also girls—are pushed into work. In addition to the ₹20,000 fine imposed on employers or parents, the state contributes ₹15,000 to create a deposit in the child’s name to support their financial security, Kumar added.

According to sources, despite fines and rehabilitation measures, including financial deposits in the rescued children’s names — economic vulnerability continues to push families to send their children to work, highlighting the need for sustained monitoring, community awareness, and stronger social support systems.

Inputs from TOI 

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