The Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued summons to four officials on Monday following allegations of child labor in a NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) project within the jurisdiction of Jalahalli Gram Panchayat in Devadurga Taluk.
The summons were issued based on a complaint filed by Amaresh Nayak, a social activist from Jalahalli town, along with lawyer Raja Vasudev Nayak. The officials summoned include Maheshwari, the former PDO (Panchayat Development Officer) of Jalahalli Gram Panchayat; Basavaraj Hatti, EO (Executive Officer) of the Taluk Panchayat; Annarao Nayak, Planning Director of the Taluk Panchayat; and the District Child Protection Unit Officer. They are required to appear for a hearing on October 18 at the Government Observatory Juvenile Justice Board in Raichur.
The complaint, filed on April 13, alleged that children were employed in a NREGA project. Evidence presented includes photographs of minors uploaded to the NMMS (National Mobile Monitoring System) software on April 6, along with attendance records.
The chairperson of the State Child Rights Commission has issued the summons to investigate the matter and take appropriate action based on the findings. This incident underscores ongoing concerns about corruption and mismanagement in NREGA projects in the region.
“Despite a ₹200 crore corruption scandal in NREGA schemes leading to the suspension of 38 officials, authorities have not learned their lesson. The use of child labor in NREGA projects within Jalahalli Gram Panchayat’s jurisdiction is evidence of this,” stated Raja Vasudev Nayak, the lawyer and complainant.
This case has brought renewed attention to the need for stricter oversight and enforcement of child labor laws in government-sponsored rural employment schemes.