Mangaluru: Deputy commissioner Dr KV Rajendra said the administration will take measures to declare Dakshina Kannada a child labour-free district soon.

He was speaking at a World Day Against Child Labour event, organised by the district administration in association with the district legal services authority, zilla panchayat, Mangaluru City Corporation, district Balakarmika Yojana Sangha, police, Mangaluru Bar Association and Childline on Sunday.

“Awareness of the consequences of employing child labour will be created in the next month to make DK a child labour-free district. We had plans to declare the district child labour-free in 2021. However, the pandemic delayed the process. All shops, apartments, hotels, restaurants and industries will have to submit an affidavit declaring their premises are free of child labour.

Officials should identify children from other districts and states working in Dakshina Kannada. They should also ensure that those children are enrolled in schools,” the DC said.

The district has a team of officials from various departments dedicated to the prevention of child labour. No child below 14 years should be deprived of education. Children in the age group of 14-18 years should not be made to work in hazardous industries. Those who see child labour in their locality may dial 1098 or 155214 to rescue the children,” he said.

Senior civil judge and district legal services authority member secretary Shobha BG said poverty and illiteracy are the key reasons behind child labour in society.