Som Distilleries Blames Contractors For Child Labour, Terminates Vendor's Services; Police Probe Launched
Som Distilleries highlighted that the associate company had engaged contractors who failed to verify ages adequately.
Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd. on Monday blamed contractors of its associate company for child labour concerns. The company terminated the vendor's services, and the police have initiated an investigation.
The issue involves an associate private firm dealing in country liquor. Contractors at this firm reportedly failed to verify workers' ages properly.
Fifty-eight children, including 20 girls, were rescued from a liquor factory in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district, according to media reports. Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, confirmed the presence of child labour.
The police launched an investigation into Som Distilleries and Breweries Ltd. after the government's child rights agency found children working at a distillery, according to a Reuters report. A case under juvenile justice and bonded labour laws was filed on Sunday, following the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights' discovery of over 50 children in the plant.
The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights is coordinating with local authorities to rescue the children and initiate legal proceedings. A First information report has been registered, and a notice issued to the state government to act against the involved excise officer, the report said.
Som Distilleries, the maker of Hunter and Woodpecker beer, stated that contractors engaged by the associate company failed to verify ages adequately.
