In a statement released today, the NCPCR said that in a recent meeting in Andhra Pradesh, where representatives of 12 Bt cotton seed manufacturing companies participated, a proposal to this effect was passed.
"Child labour is being engaged in large numbers in BT cotton fields in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. They are forced to work for 14 hours and even carry pesticides exposing themselves to toxins," Dr Yogesh Dube, Member, NCPCR who had mooted the proposal, said.
"Child Welfare Committees should be made more accountable. Helpline numbers should be put in place so that people can directly call them up. More efforts should be put in to improve network and rehabilitation," he added.
Plants producing Bt cotton seeds require children of low height for cross pollination, leading to child labour, the NCPCR statement said.
The Commission had also observed that in several areas, child labourers were working in Bt. Cotton seed companies and carrying huge quantity of pesticides on their back, the statement added.
In its statement, NCPCR also gave more details of the proposal which was passed in its meeting with seed companies and officials of Andhra Pradesh labour department.
The officials of Labour Department should also take necessary steps while registering the establishments to secure undertaking from the Bt Cotton Seed companies and the contractors not to engage any child labour below the age of 14 years, the NCPCR proposal said. MORE