Cabinet approves ban on child employment
NEW DELHI
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Children below 14 years of age can work only in family enterprises or entertainment industry. Punishment for violations up to three years in jail
The government on Wednesday okayed a proposal allowing children below 14 years of age to work only in family enterprises or entertainment industry with certain conditions while completely banning their employment elsewhere. It has also raised the punishment for violations to up to three years of jail.The new provisions are part of the official amendments to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2012.
Making child labour a cognizable offence, the fine has also been increased to up to Rs 50,000 for the employers. The children can be employed only in non-hazardous family enterprises, TV serials, films, advertisements and sporting activities (except circus) with a condition that they would be made to do these jobs after school hours.
A new definition of adolescent has also been introduced to further prohibit employment of those aged 14-18 years in hazardous jobs, a government statement said.
The amendments to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act has relaxed the penal provisions for guardians, who were earlier subjected to same punishments as applicable to the employer of the child.
The amendment bill, approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides that there would be no punishment for parents or guardians in case of first offence, while a maximum penalty of Rs 10,000 can be levied in case of the second and subsequent offences.
Under the existing law, any violation attracts imprisonment of a minimum 3 months to a maximum of one year for the first offence, while the fine is Rs 10,000-20,000. This has been enhanced to imprisonment of 6 months to two years and fine of Rs 20,000-50,000 for the first offence.For the second offence, the jail provision has been increased from 6-24 months to 12-36 months.
PARLIAMENT PASSES BLACK MONEY BILL
Parliament on Wednesday passed the black money bill. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill after it was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill will now go to the President.
GOVT RETAINS 51% FDI IN MULTI-BRAND RETAIL
The government has retained the previous UPA regime's decision allowing foreign retailers to open multi-brand stores with 51 per cent ownership, in its consolidated FDI policy released today, notwithstanding the political slugfest over the issue.
Making child labour a cognizable offence, the fine has also been increased to up to Rs 50,000 for the employers. The children can be employed only in non-hazardous family enterprises, TV serials, films, advertisements and sporting activities (except circus) with a condition that they would be made to do these jobs after school hours.
A new definition of adolescent has also been introduced to further prohibit employment of those aged 14-18 years in hazardous jobs, a government statement said.
The amendments to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act has relaxed the penal provisions for guardians, who were earlier subjected to same punishments as applicable to the employer of the child.
The amendment bill, approved by the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, provides that there would be no punishment for parents or guardians in case of first offence, while a maximum penalty of Rs 10,000 can be levied in case of the second and subsequent offences.
Under the existing law, any violation attracts imprisonment of a minimum 3 months to a maximum of one year for the first offence, while the fine is Rs 10,000-20,000. This has been enhanced to imprisonment of 6 months to two years and fine of Rs 20,000-50,000 for the first offence.For the second offence, the jail provision has been increased from 6-24 months to 12-36 months.
PARLIAMENT PASSES BLACK MONEY BILL
Parliament on Wednesday passed the black money bill. The Rajya Sabha passed the bill after it was earlier passed by the Lok Sabha. The bill will now go to the President.
GOVT RETAINS 51% FDI IN MULTI-BRAND RETAIL
The government has retained the previous UPA regime's decision allowing foreign retailers to open multi-brand stores with 51 per cent ownership, in its consolidated FDI policy released today, notwithstanding the political slugfest over the issue.
