Crime
Telangana Caste Survey: 89,000 Child Labours, Majority from SC and ST Communities
The Telangana Socio, Economic, Educational, Employment, Political and Caste (SEEEPC) Survey 2024 has revealed that around 89,000 children below the age of 18 are engaged in daily wage labour across the state. The findings indicate that a significant number of these child labourers belong to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities, with 14 per cent identified as SC Madigas and 11 per cent as ST Lambadis.
According to the report, nearly one per cent of minors in Telangana were found working as daily wage labourers. The highest incidence was recorded among the ST Kolam community at 7.2 per cent, pointing to severe economic distress and limited access to education, welfare, and protective systems.
The survey noted that percentage figures alone may not fully reflect the scale of the issue, emphasising that the absolute number of 89,000 child labourers highlights a serious socio-economic challenge. It also found that, on average, 31.3 per cent of people aged 25 to 65 in the state are engaged in daily wage work.
