SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, May 28: In a special drive against child labour, the Labour Department in Dhanbad rescued three underage boys working in hotels along Station Road. The operation was part of an ongoing campaign led by Assistant Labour Commissioner Praveen Kumar.
According to officials, one minor was rescued from Rangeela Hindu Hotel, while two others were found working at Patna Famous Litti Hotel. Although both hotel operators—Kanchan Saw and Pankaj Kumar—were let off with a warning this time, authorities stressed that stricter action would be taken against repeat violations.
Assistant Labour Commissioner Praveen Kumar confirmed that all three rescued minors were handed over to the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) for proper rehabilitation and access to education.
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“The special drive will continue across the district. We have already informed the public that employing underage children in dhabas, hotels, garages, or any other establishments is illegal. Offenders can face fines ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 and may be charged under relevant sections of the law, which carry a jail term of six months to two years,” he said.
Speaking on the issue, Pankaj Kumar acknowledged that child labour remains a serious challenge in India. “The government is taking significant steps, but the problem cannot be eradicated without cooperation from all sections of society,” he said.
The team that conducted the raids along Railway Station Road included Mannu Kumar Singh, Uttam Mandal, Pratyush Kumar, and Naim Ansari.
