The Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government has been accused of trying to cover up the issue.
Bhopal:
Golu, 13, has been working as a cobbler in Madhya Pradesh's Shajapur for the last two years. He earns roughly Rs 200 a day; the amount is barely enough to provide two square meals for his family of six.
For the many people who visit his stall to get their shoes repaired and polished, Golu is all but invisible. His customers include policemen and government officials, the very authorities who are supposed to take action against child labour.
"I need money to support my family, so I polish shoes" says Golu.
Children like him are apparently invisible to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government as well. Recently, the state government, in reply to a question in the Legislative Assembly, said there were only 108 child labourers in 11 of the 40 districts in the state.
Data from 2011 census claims there are over 7 lakh child labourers in Madhya Pradesh, and 1,60,000 child labourers in the 11 districts mentioned by the government.
Leader of Opposition Satyadev Katare told NDTV," The state government's reply in the Vidhan Sabha is not at all satisfactory. The government may be trying to cover up (the issue)."
Bhopal-based NGO Vikas Samvaad says the government figure makes a mockery of a serious problem and it may affect policy decisions on the issue, say its activists.
Activist Rolly Shivhare told NDTV, "The figure provided by the state government shows that it is trying to hide the problem. An effective policy can be formulated only if you reveal the actual number of child labourers."
But the state labour department claims that it regularly takes action against those who employ child labourers.
R S Pandey, Deputy Labour Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh, says, "The figure provided by us in the Vidhan Sabha is correct. After receiving complaints between 2011 and 2013, we have rescued 108 children and taken action against their employers. There are many children like rag pickers who do not have an 'employer', so our department cannot act in such cases."
For the many people who visit his stall to get their shoes repaired and polished, Golu is all but invisible. His customers include policemen and government officials, the very authorities who are supposed to take action against child labour.
"I need money to support my family, so I polish shoes" says Golu.
Children like him are apparently invisible to the Shivraj Singh Chouhan-led BJP government as well. Recently, the state government, in reply to a question in the Legislative Assembly, said there were only 108 child labourers in 11 of the 40 districts in the state.
Data from 2011 census claims there are over 7 lakh child labourers in Madhya Pradesh, and 1,60,000 child labourers in the 11 districts mentioned by the government.
Leader of Opposition Satyadev Katare told NDTV," The state government's reply in the Vidhan Sabha is not at all satisfactory. The government may be trying to cover up (the issue)."
Bhopal-based NGO Vikas Samvaad says the government figure makes a mockery of a serious problem and it may affect policy decisions on the issue, say its activists.
Activist Rolly Shivhare told NDTV, "The figure provided by the state government shows that it is trying to hide the problem. An effective policy can be formulated only if you reveal the actual number of child labourers."
But the state labour department claims that it regularly takes action against those who employ child labourers.
R S Pandey, Deputy Labour Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh, says, "The figure provided by us in the Vidhan Sabha is correct. After receiving complaints between 2011 and 2013, we have rescued 108 children and taken action against their employers. There are many children like rag pickers who do not have an 'employer', so our department cannot act in such cases."
Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world
