88 i RIGHTS OF THE VULNERABLE are many individuals and groups who have worked with great dedication and skill to end child labour, the results are still inadequate. They will, unfortimately, remain inadequate until the laws relating to child labour are radically re-thought and re written, and brought into line with a proper appreciation of what the rights of the child should mean in terms of policy choices and accountability. The nation-wide provision of free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years is intrinsic to any real progress in this matter. The effort to achieve this great objective, on which depends the future of our children no less than of our country, must move beyond debates to amend the Constitution, and find expression in practical programmes for every district, village and family of India. There can be no greater challenge or necessity, and no greater achievement, than to educate the children of India, and to free them from the bondage of child labour. 8.28 The Commission therefore urges the Government of India to act with speed and determination to re-write the laws regarding child labour and, acting with the State Governments, set a time-frame to achieve free and compulsory education for the children of the country. B] Rehabilitation of People Displaced by Mega Projects 8.29 In its annual report for the year 2000-01, the Commission spelt out its view that there was need to formulate a revised national policy to deal with greater sensitivity in respect of issues concerning the rehabilitation of people affected by mega projects. Specifically, the Commission expressed the opinion that the resettlement and rehabilitation of persons displaced through the acquisition of land for various projects should form part of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act itself, or be the subject of appropriate separate legislation, so that they are justiciable. The Commission was additionally of the view that the Government should, while adopting a comprehensive policy, provide for that policy to itself be incorporated into appropriate legislation within a specified time frame. 8.30 In the course of the year under review, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Minister for Rural Development, was invited by the Chairperson for a discussion in the Commission on matters relating to this subject. In the meeting held on 1 June 2001, NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

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