Rampura, a remote district inhabited by a tribal population, is marked by extreme backwardness and abject poverty. Agriculture is the mainstay of the local population, though it is primarily subsistence due to the very small landholdings. There is insignificant industrial or mining activity. Even the targeted welfare programs have inadequately benefited the tribal population. In this restrictive scenario, the youth has begun to migrate to other states to supplement the family income. Plight of minor girls is that their parents are persuaded by labour contractors to send them to work in the Bt Cotton farms of a nearby state. The soft fingers of the minor girls are well suited for plucking the cotton. The inadequate living and working conditions in these farms have caused serious health issues for the minor girls. NGOs in the districts of domicile and the cotton farms appear to be compromised and have not effectively espoused the twin issues of child labour and development of the area. You are appointed as the District Collector of Rampura. Identify the ethical issues involved. Which specific steps will you initiate to ameliorate the conditions of minor girls of your district and to improve the overall economic scenario in the district? (UPSC IAS Mains 2020 General Studies Paper – 4)
The tribal area, which has minimal interaction with the outer world, is shrouded in abysmal condition which reflects the extent of poverty and deprivation. The ineffectiveness of the targeted welfare programs highlights the level of unawareness and helplessness.
The major stakeholders in this scenario are tribal people, the youth that has started migrating to other states and minor girls who are forced to work in the Cotton farms. The ethical issues involved are:
- Livelihood vs Well-being: The meagre livelihood opportunities have forced the local population to send their minor children to Bt-Cotton farms.
- Distress Migration: Migration of youth in search of better working opportunities leaving their families behind in abysmal conditions.
- Child Labour: Tribal people who are compelled to send their minor girls in the Bt-Cotton farms as their small landholdings are not earning well.
- Well-being of Minors: Forced labour which is leading to the deterioration of health of minor girls. This affects their education as well.
- Corruption: The NGOs are compromised and have proved ineffective in highlighting the plight of the tribals.
There are plethora of government schemes and programmes which when implemented effectively will ensure the upliftment of the tribal population. Following steps are needed to improve the well-being of minor girls and economic scenario:
- Article 24 of the Constitution prohibits the employment of children below 14. Actions shall be initiated against labour contractors under Child Labour Amendment (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 2016.
- Minors Girls shall be encouraged to attend school as it is their right under Article 21A. It shall be ensured that they receive the benefits of Integrated Child Development Services Scheme and Midday Meal. Eklavya residential school can be promoted to provide tribal children a better education.
- To enhance their earning, steps shall be taken to market their local products under the guidance of TRIFED. It will fetch them better livelihood opportunities. Their products can be listed on websites like TribesIndia or marketplace like Hunar-Haat for sale.
- As far as the return of migrants is concerned, it will require a calibrated approach. It will require better employment opportunity and adequate earnings.
- Avenues for the establishment of industries can be explored in consultation with all the stakeholders.
- Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana shall be harnessed which is a market-linked tribal entrepreneurship development program for forming clusters of tribal SHGs and strengthening them into Tribal Producer Companies.
- Tribals shall also be encouraged to pool their land together and start contract farming.
- To bring transparency and efficiency among NGOs, a better surveillance mechanism shall be implemented under the EAT (Expenditure Advance Transfer) Module.
- The guidelines pertaining to the functioning of NGOs in the regions shall also be revamped.
While implementing all the mentioned steps tribals shall always be taken into confidence to assure that the reach of benefits is universal.
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