THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is stepping up its efforts to eradicate child labour completely, said Health and Women and Child Development Minister Veena George. The state conducted 704 rescue drives in the last financial year under the Saranabalyam project, aimed at identifying and rehabilitating children involved in labour.
A total of 56 children at risk were rescued and provided with rehabilitation. As part of this initiative, a statewide survey was carried out in 2025 to identify child labour and begging. The survey revealed 140 hotspots, with the highest concentration in Ernakulam (30), followed by Idukki (13), Thiruvananthapuram (12), and other districts including Kollam, Alappuzha, and Kannur.
The identified hotspots include festival venues, commercial zones, companies, and plantations — areas where children are most vulnerable to exploitation. The state aims to focus intensified action in these regions through coordinated efforts with the Labour Department and police.
Minister George added that the Saranabalyam project is being integrated with the Kaval Plus scheme to ensure long-term care for rescued children. They are produced before the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and those from other states are repatriated via their respective CWCs. Children without families or safe homes are taken into state care and provided rehabilitation services.
The public is urged to report child labour by calling helpline 1098 or messaging 82818 99479 on WhatsApp.