Hyderabad|India|September'2011: The department of Labour & Employment, Government of Andhra Pradesh jointly with The Federation of Andhra Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FAPCCI) in association with Government departments like Police, GHMC and Rajeev Vidya Mission have organized a Sensitization Program for making “Secunderabad Child Labour Free Zone” on 17 September 2011 at St. Ann’s High School, (ICSE), Secunderabad.

Mr. Danam Nagender, Hon’ble Minister for Labour, Employment, Training & Factories, Industrial Training Institutes, Government of Andhra Pradesh was the Chief guest and Mr. Allu Arjun Film Celebrity, Tollywood was the Guest of Honour for the occasion. Mr. S. Naresh Kumar, Deputy Commissioner, Dept. of Labour Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara Rao, Secretary General, FAPCCI and many others are key speakers at the occasion.

Mr. Danam Nagender Hon’ble Minister for Labour, Employment, Training & Factories, Industrial Training Institutes, Govt. of Andhra Pradesh said in his chief guest address is that the Government planning to have total Andhra Pradesh should be Child Labour Free zone. In this related Secunderabad Child Labour Free is an initial step and later we will implement all over the state.

Mr. Allu Arjun said that the State of Andhra Pradesh is one of the leading state in many sectors but unfortunately it occupies the first place in recruiting the Child Labour. The state have a total of 17 million children, in that 14 million are studying in schools and colleges and rest are working as Child labours in many companies, hotels and other organizations.

Mr. S. Naresh Kumar said that in the first phase MG Road, SD Road, RP Road and SP Road will be made child labour free. The department of Labour has taken up verification of every shop and establishment. If the Shop / Establishment has not engaged child labour at any point of time, and a sticker with slogan “NO CHILD LABOUR” is affixed in the shop or establishment. Such a Shop / Establishment shall be declared as “NO CHILD LABOUR” Shop / Establishment. Apart from this sensitization program are being taken up in Schools and Collages in Secunderabad. Essay writing & Elocution competitions’ were held on 14, 15 September 2011 at St. Ann’s School, ICSE, Secunderabad.

Mr. M.V. Rajeshwara Rao, Secretary General, FAPCCI appreciates the government decision and he honoured the guest and children with mementos and prizes.

The NGO organizations like MV Foundation, Divya Disha, Lions Club and Corporates like GVK, Coromandel International, Automotives, ITC and Kalamandir Foundation also supporting the event.