School dropouts from Uttar Pradesh forced to sell cotton candy on Chennai beaches

Several school children, aged 12 to 14 from districts such as Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh, have been employed as labourers, selling various products in public spaces, including Marina Beach, of the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC).

One of the child labourers who had reportedly dropped out of Class VII in a school in Kannauj said he earns ₹7000 per month, selling cotton candy. “My owner has set a target of ₹1600 sales a day. I have to sell 80 packets of cotton candy every day. My owner has assured me that he will take me home during Holi. I want to pursue my studies again,” he said.

The 12-year-old boy claimed that he and his friends from Uttar Pradesh were selling cotton candies on the Marina beach under the supervision of an “owner” from the same State, who has a building in Pallavaram.

On Wednesday, the child was running a temperature, and Chennai Corporation’s lifeguards helped him by advising his employer to give him rest and provide medical assistance. However, the child refused to leave, pointing to sales targets.

Another child from the same State said he was on the rolls of Class VIII in a school in Kannauj district, and was expecting to go home during Holi. The children refused to divulge details about their parents.

Corporation’s lifeguards at the Marina Beach said the number of such children from Uttar Pradesh is increasing, and has been estimated at 20.  

Officials from Samagra Shiksha of Chennai District said they will coordinate with the Chennai Corporation officials to identify such children on the beaches and rescue them. GCC, Chennai Collectorate, School Education and Samagra Shiksha officials will trace the students and coordinate with Uttar Pradesh officials and Kannauj District officials to rescue the children and facilitate school education.

“In addition to rescuing children below the age of 14, the State government departments will also assist those children above the age of 14 and facilitate school education for them. We will provide hostel facility for such children in Tamil Nadu and give them school education. We will take action against those responsible for child labour,” said an official of Samagra Shiksha.