The Cabinet on Wednesday approved a complete ban on employment of children below 14 years, except for some family businesses, entertainment and sports activities, while raising the punishment for violations to up to three years of jail.
Making child labour a cognisable offence, the fine has also been increased to up to Rs 50,000 for the employers.
The children can be employed only in non-hazardous family enterprises, TV serials, films, advertisements and sporting activities (except circus) with a condition that they would be made to do these jobs after school hours. A new definition of adolescent has also been introduced to further prohibit employment of those aged 14-18 years in hazardous jobs, a government statement said.
Amendments to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act has, however, relaxed penal provisions for parents or guardians. The amendment bill provides that there would be no punishment for parents or guardians in case of first <g data-gr-id="24">offence,</g> while a maximum penalty of Rs 10,000 can be levied in case of the second and subsequent offences.