State Level Consultation – Mandvi, Surat

State Level Consultation on Children in Mining Area, DMF, PESA was held at Mandvi, Surat, Gujarat on 11th June’ 2017 – 133 participants

In the Consultation, there were discussions on Self-rule in village level, PESA – Role of Gram Sabha, Election of Sarpanch, Schedule V & VI of the constitution, migration and displacement of families due to development projects like mining, nuclear power, power projects, reservoirs etc. One issue that was prominently discussed was the plight of migrant laborers especially women and children. It was also highlighted that without the free and prior consent of villagers not a single development project should be cleared by the authorities.

The Secretary-General introduced the theme of the workshop and why children’s rights should not be neglected especially in the mining areas. A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary-General of mm&P. A participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.