Licence of Som Distilleries suspended

 

 

 

 

 

State Government, on Wednesday, suspended the licence of Som Distilleries after child labourers were rescued from its unit in Raisen district. As many as 39 boys and 19 girls were rescued by NCPCR from the distillery. State police has also launched an investigation in this matter. Notably, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) last week found 39 boys and 19 girls working in the factory.

 

The agency also released photos of children’s hands claiming that it had burns due to contact with chemicals. Som Distilleries & Breweries is an ISO-certified group of companies manufacturing and supplying beer, IMFL (India Made Foreign Liquor) and RTD (Ready To Drink) beverages. It is in Raisen district that falls under Bhopal Division. It was found that the children were hardly paid any wages and transported daily by their employer in a school bus to work for 12-14 hours.

 

The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) along with the Association of Voluntary Action, also known as Bachpan Bachao Andolan (BBA), led the crackdown at Som Distilleries on Saturday. The incident casts a shadow on company’s share prices. The NCPCR investigation uncovered hazardous working conditions, with many children showing burns on their hands from chemical exposure, highlighting unsafe and exploitative practices at the facility. The commission voiced worries about the detrimental physical and psychological effects of these conditions on the children.