Patna: Ashok Kumar and Arvind Kumar Singh officially took charge as chairman and vice-chairman of the Bihar State Child Labour Commission under the Labour Resources Department on Tuesday, pledging to make the eradication of child labour their top priority.
Speaking at the oath-taking ceremony held at Niyojan Bhawan, Labour Commissioner Rajesh Bharti welcomed the new leadership in the presence of Labour Resources Minister Santosh Kumar Singh and commission members Sushil Kumar and Shaukat Ali. Senior officials and departmental staff were also in attendance.
Describing child labour as a “social stigma”, Ashok said the commission would activate raid teams across the state to identify and rescue child labourers. “We will ensure their rehabilitation, education, and social security through the Child Labour Welfare Committee,” he said.
He also stressed the need for stricter enforcement, warning of legal action against those trafficking children outside the state. Administrative officers at district levels will be instructed to respond swiftly to such violations. He added that reintegrating school dropouts into mainstream education would be a parallel priority.
Vice-chairman Arvind said effective ground-level implementation of all ongoing child labour elimination schemes would be his main focus. He expressed optimism that migration of child labourers from Bihar would decline, enabling children to live safe and dignified lives within the state.
Minister Santosh Kumar Singh reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending child labour, stating that coordinated efforts involving public participation will be key to making Bihar child labour-free.
