240 child labourers rescued in Punjab

Over 240 children engaged as child labourers have been freed by Punjab's labour department in the past week, a minister said Tuesday.

Labour Minister Chuni Lal Bhagat said that these children were being forced to work by their employers.

He said that cases have been registered against 199 offenders under the Child Labour Act and they will have to face trial. Punishment in such cases ranges from a penalty of Rs.10,000 to six months imprisonment.