District officials in Mandya, India, say they have rescued more than 35 child labourers during 2025 and have registered first information reports (FIRs) in eight cases as part of intensified efforts to eradicate child labour from the district.
Speaking at a meeting on the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act at the district collector’s office on Saturday, District Commissioner Kumar said eliminating child labour is the responsibility of every citizen and urged officials to carry out careful, routine checks in their neighbourhoods to identify children at risk.
Mandya child labour rescue progress and next steps
Kumar noted that a reduced number of reported cases does not necessarily mean fewer child labourers. He instructed officers to inspect workplaces where children are most likely to be found, including factories, hotels and stone crushers, and to pursue cases where evidence emerges.
The meeting brought together senior officials from several departments. Participants included Savita, Deputy Director of Labour; C. Chaluvayya, Deputy Director of Pre-University Education; Pampa Shree, Municipal Commissioner; Srinivas, Deputy Director for Social Welfare; and Manjula, Deputy Director of Welfare for Backward Classes.
Officials from the education department were told to prioritise tracking of absentee and drop-out students. Chief teachers were asked to compile lists of pupils on prolonged leave or those who half-drop out and investigate their circumstances to determine whether they are engaged in work.
Representatives of local child-welfare organisations also attended. Venu Vargas, state coordinator of the Bachpan Bachao movement, said that children who suffer injuries while trapped in child labour may be eligible for compensation of up to ₹3 lakh. He called for stronger inter-departmental cooperation to identify and rescue children and urged the district to provide vehicles to officials conducting field visits.
Authorities outlined several practical steps moving forward: increased joint inspections by labour and education officials, improved data-sharing between departments to track vulnerable children, and logistical support to field teams to ensure timely rescues. Officials emphasised that awareness among community members and local institutions is vital to spotting early signs of exploitation.
The District Commissioner asked municipal and welfare departments to monitor informal sectors where children may be employed. He said that enforcement alone will not suffice and that preventive measures — including schooling, social support and rehabilitation — must accompany legal action.
Local NGOs welcomed the measures but urged continued vigilance. They stressed that successful rehabilitation requires coordinated action: immediate removal from hazardous work, medical and psychological support, educational reintegration and financial compensation where appropriate.
The Mandya initiative shows a local government mobilising resources across departments to tackle child labour. Officials say regular monitoring and stronger collaboration with civil society will be central to ensuring that children are kept in school and away from hazardous work.
For more information and updates, the district asked citizens to report suspected cases to local authorities and to support school attendance and community outreach efforts that help identify vulnerable children early.
Key Takeaways:
- Mandya district officials in India rescued 35 child labourers in 2025 and registered FIRs in eight cases.
- District Commissioner Kumar urged regular, targeted inspections at factories, hotels and crushers to detect child labour.
- Education and labour departments to track absentee and drop-out students; NGOs say victims may receive up to ₹3 lakh in compensation.
- Departments agreed to provide logistical support to field teams to improve detection and rescue operations.
