Redhakhol: Even as the government has taken a slew of measures to eradicate child labour from the state, the problem is still rampant here in Sambalpur district.
A number of child labourers work in a brick kiln owned by a local councilor here but neither the police nor the administration takes action against the errant councillor. No efforts are made to bring these children to mainstream.
According to sources, councillor of ward no-2 Nirupama Prusty has set up a number of kilns allegedly by greasing the palms of revenue and police officials. She uses unauthorised water from Kerandi Jora, a local creek. Residents alleged she chops valuable trees in the jungle and use them as firewood for her kilns.
The administration fail to take action against Nirupama as she and her husband Prahllad Prusty are influential.
Even as people and animals face problems due to acute water scarcity in Kerandi Jora, use of water for the brick kilns owned by the councillor has made the situation worse.
Even though the administration is aware of the wrong-doings, it does not stop the illegal business.
Residents had drawn the attention of Redhakhol sub-collector Kabindra Sahu to this issue and the matter was published in local media, no measures were taken to shut these kilns or to rescue the child labourers.
Residents demanded that the administration intervened in the matter and check loss of revenue to the exchequer. PNN