M S NAZKI
Early Times Report
Poonch, Nov 13: To make a living a number of children are seen doing menial jobs in the busy streets of the town.
Some of them sweep the streets while a few serve tea at tea stalls. Some sell car shades and some beg at different locations. These children have somewhere lost their childhood while doing these jobs. Standing all day in the sun in the challenging conditions to earn their one-time meal is their only goal.
Nishat who sells clothes in various areas of the city said, "My father and mother work to make ends meet. I sell the cloth to help them," he said.
Interestingly when asked about her age she remained mum. It is a common sight to see children working in restaurants, food joints, houses and agriculture fields and many other places. Tazeem Kazmi said, whenever I travel through the tehsil Chowk and hospital road , I see children selling goods on the busy road. With vehicles plying all around, I get scared for them." He suggested measures ranging from helping the children financially to providing quality but free education. It is in place to mention here that The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act of 1986 exists only in papers. According to the Act, employment of children below the age of 14. But in J&K, especially in urban areas, the problem is more common, he added.
Sources said the Right to Education (RTE) is not being implemented in letter and spirit which provides free and compulsory education to children between six to 14 years. Government schools lack safe drinking water, well-maintained classrooms and hygienic toilets. |
