Distillery in Madhya Pradesh Sealed After Child Labour Violations Found

In a significant move by state authorities, a distillery associated with Som Group located in Madhya Pradesh's Raisen district has faced stringent action. The establishment was sealed, and its manufacturing license was temporarily suspended following the discovery of 58 children, including girls, working there, which is a clear violation of the rules. This development came to light after a raid conducted by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), spotlighting the alleged use of child labor at the factory.

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Raisen district assistant excise officer Sudeep Tomar confirmed the sealing of the plant situated at Sehatganj, roughly 30km from the district headquarters, on Wednesday evening. The manufacturing license of the unit has been put on hold for 20 days. Som Distilleries & Breweries, known for its ISO-certified production and supply of beer, IMFL (India Made Foreign Liquor), and RTD (ready to drink) beverages, found itself in hot water after failing to provide a satisfactory response to a show-cause notice issued by the state excise department regarding the child labor issue.

The raid that unveiled this violation was carried out on June 15, in collaboration with the Association of Voluntary Action (Bachpan Bachao Andolan), an anti-trafficking and anti-slavery movement founded by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Kailash Satyarthi. Led by NCPCR chairman Priyank Kanoongo, the team rescued 39 boys and 19 girls from harsh working conditions where they were exposed to harmful chemicals and alcohol. Reports from those involved in the raid indicated that these children worked for 12-14 hours daily and were compensated inadequately.

Following the raid, Som Distilleries and Breweries issued a clarification stating that the concerns raised were related to an associate private limited company dealing primarily in country liquor, not the listed entity itself. The firm attributed the oversight to contractors responsible for supplying labor, admitting a lapse in proper age verification processes. It also highlighted its cooperation with authorities on this matter and its compliance with applicable laws across all its plants.

The incident has drawn attention from high levels of state governance. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav described the raid as a "serious matter" and assured that detailed information had been gathered from relevant departments. He emphasized that strict action would be taken against those found guilty, underscoring the government's commitment to addressing such violations decisively.

This case not only sheds light on the pressing issue of child labor but also underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and corporate responsibility in safeguarding workers' rights. As investigations continue and authorities work to ensure justice for the affected children, this incident serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing challenges in combating child labor and enforcing labor laws effectively.