SC snubs govt,media on child labour and prostitution

The Supreme Court criticised the authorities for failing to enforce the existing laws to prevent exploitation of children for prostitution and labour.

Even as the Centre suggested banning use of children in TV reality shows,the Supreme Court on Monday criticised the authorities for failing to enforce the existing laws to prevent exploitation of children for prostitution and labour.

The apex court also minced no words in expressing displeasure at the conduct of the media which it said was more focussed on the GDP growth,big business houses and Ambanis’ instead of focussing on issues relating to exploitation of children.

A bench of Justices Dalveer Bhandari and A K Patnaik,while dealing with a PIL on exploitation of children for labour and commercial sex,said even though there are enough laws to combat such offences,the necessary will was awfully lacking in the government.

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“Our system is in such a way that it is only the most powerful who are able to have their way. It is only the powerful who are in a position to influence.

“Unless people at the top act,nothing will happen.

What is the point in passing directions when they are not implemented? We have passed so many directions in Narmada Bachao Andolan case,” the bench said.

The apex court made the remarks after Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam came out with a suggestion that the apex court should pass directions to ensure children are not exploited for labour,including their use for TV reality shows.

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