Odisha to be child labour-free by 2025; task force soon: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Women and Child Welfare Minister Prafulla Samal today said Odisha would be free of child labour by 2025 and a task force would be formed soon to rescue the children who are victims of trafficking for bonded or forced labour.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event organised on the occasion of World Day Against Child Labour, Prafulla said, "Odisha government is striving to eradicate child labour by 2025. A task force will be formed which will conduct raids and rescue child labourers."

He further added that Odisha is much ahead of other States in providing free and compulsory education to children in the age group of 6 to 14.

"As per the latest survey, out of the 63 lakh children in the State only 41,000 are out of the purview of free and compulsory education scheme. Steps are being taken by the government to include all those children under the scheme," the minister said.

"We need to be aware of the issue and say no to child labour in and around us. The district administrations should also work towards eradication of child labour from the State," urged Prafulla.