Elimination of child labour a mission: CM

Says children working at kilns to be given monthly stipend of Rs1,000:

directs DCOs, DPOs to visit kilns

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif Tuesday said elimination of child labour from kilns was his mission and this menace would be removed at any cost.

Addressing a meeting of a steering committee constituted to curb child labour from kilns, the CM said all-out resources would be provided to resolve problems of children working at brick kilns. He said he personally monitors steps taken for removing child labour. Shahbaz said children working at kilns will be given a monthly stipend of one thousand rupees on admission in schools while their educational expenditure will also be borne by the government of the Punjab.

He said free text books, stationery and uniforms will also be given to them. The CM said Rs 2,000 per family would also be given to parents of such children who would be enrolled in schools from bricks. The CM said the campaign for elimination of child labour should be continued vigorously and in case of child labour, the kilns would be sealed and owners be arrested. He said all relevant departments should work with mutual coordination for elimination of child labour.

Shahbaz said institutions concerned would have to work with commitment for eradicating child labour from kilns. He said committees had been formed at district level for checking child labour at kilns. The CM directed that the hundred per cent enrollment of children working at kilns should be ensured in schools. He directed DCOs and DPOs to personally visit kilns for controlling child labour.

World BanK: A delegation headed by World Bank Country Director in Pakistan Patchamutha Illango Tuesday called on Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and discussed programmes in social sector continuing with the cooperation of the WB in the province. In the meeting it was agreed to promote cooperation between the WB and the Punjab government in education, health, agriculture, irrigation and other sectors.

Talking to the WB team, the CM said the programmes with the cooperation of the WB for the uplift of social sectors of Punjab are running successfully.

He said the Punjab government has introduced basic reforms in education, health and other social sectors.

The CM said work is continuing speedily on various projects for overcoming shortage of energy. He said thousands of megawatt electricity would be generated with the completion of energy projects by the end of 2017 and growth rate will increase with the removal of energy shortage. He said special attention is being paid to making youth skillful according to the market demands. Shahbaz said the cooperation of WB will be welcomed in this sector in view of the increasing demand in skill development sector.

He said the Punjab government has fixed the target of increasing growth rate of the province to 8 per cent by 2018 and all-out efforts would be made to achieve the target.

Illango said they are greatly impressed with the vision of Shahbaz for the uplift of social sectors. He said the collaboration with the Punjab government will further be increased in social sectors.

He said the cooperation with Punjab government regarding skill development would also be considered. Provincial Finance Minister Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Advisor Dr Ijaz Nabi, Chairman Planning and Development and senior officials of departments concerned were present on the occasion.