M C MEHTA Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS petition under Art. 32 of the Constitution has been brought before this Court by way of a Public Interest Litigation and is connected with the problem of employment of children in Match factories of Sivakasi in Kamaraj District of Tamil Nadu State. On notice the State has filed its return.

(2.) SIVAKASI has been the traditional centre for manufacture of match boxes and fire works for almost the whole country and a part of its output is even exported. From the affidavit of the State it appears that as on 31/12/1985, there were 221 registered match factories in the area employing 27338 workmen of whom 2941 were children. We would have been happy to have updated particulars but for disposal of this case total figure and the proportion between adult workmen and children perhaps may be taken as the foundation.

(3.) WE are of the view that employment of children within the match factories directly connected with the manufacturing process upto final production of match sticks or fireworks should not at all be permitted. Art. 39(f) of the Constitution provides that 'the State should direct its policy towards securing that children are given opportunities and facilities to develop in a healthy manner and in conditions of freedom and dignity and that childhood and youth are protected against exploitation and against moral and material abandonment.'