Velpur’s Story in Ending Child Labour
Relevance :General Studies Paper II – Governance, Social Justice
Context
- World Day Against Child Labour (WDACL) is observed on June 12 to raise awareness and prompt action to eliminate child labour.
- As per Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 8.7, the global community aims to end child labour by 2025.
- Despite efforts, 160 million children worldwide remain engaged in child labour.
- In India, as per Census 2011, 43.5 lakh children (aged 5-14) are involved in child labour, especially in industries like beedi, carpet weaving, and fireworks.
Child Labour in India: Legislative Framework
- Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 – Banned child labour in hazardous occupations.
- Amendment Act, 2016 – Prohibited employment of children below 14 and adolescents (14-18 years) in hazardous occupations.
- Right to Education Act, 2009 – Free and compulsory education for all children aged 6-14 years.
- National Child Labour Project (NCLP) – Rehabilitation of child labourers and mainstreaming into schools.
The Velpur Model: Key Highlights
Background
- Velpur Mandal, Nizamabad district (now Telangana) was previously a child labour hotspot.
Intervention
- 100-day campaign (June 2001) to enroll all children (5-15 years) in schools.
- Initial resistance: Fear, misinformation, and reluctance from employers and communities.
- Strategy: Persistent dialogue, community mobilisation, involvement of local leaders.
Community Participation
- Debt write-offs: Employers publicly waived hand loans (₹35 lakh in total) to release children from work.
- Sarpanch-Government Agreement: Formalised commitment to ensure school enrolment under the Andhra Pradesh Compulsory Primary Education Rules, 1982.
- Social Pressure: Former employers distributed stationery to children and publicly supported the movement.
Outcome
- Velpur declared child labour free on October 2, 2001.
- 100% school retention continues to this day.
- Villages display boards: “There is no child labour in our village.”
Recognition and Replication
- VVGNLI celebrated Velpur’s success during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (2021).
- Appreciated by:
- ILO
- National Human Rights Commission
- Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
- Parliamentary Standing Committee (2022)
- Now used as a training module by VVGNLI across India.
Key Takeaways
- Community ownership is essential for sustainable social reforms.
- Legislative measures must be supported by grassroots social movements.
- Integrated efforts of government, community, employers, and civil society are key to eliminating child labour.
- Social stigma, misinformation, and economic dependencies can be overcome through persistent, inclusive campaigns.
Way Forward
- Replicating community-driven models like Velpur across child labour-prone regions.
- Strengthening local governance and social accountability mechanisms.
- Continued monitoring, awareness, and incentivisation to sustain gains.
- Linking rehabilitation with skill development and social protection schemes for families.
