While the government gets set to crack the whip, several NGOs working in the area feel that a ban without a proper rehabilitation plan will backfire. They have raised questions on how the government will ensure the effective implementation of the Act that bars children under 14 years of age from working as domestic help or servants at roadside eateries and other non-hazardous jobs.

Contending that the majority of domestic workers in the country are in the age-group 12 to 16 years, NGO Save the Children also questions the limiting of the Act to domestic labour to 14 years, saying that the cut-off limit needs to be raised to 18 years. "The Act needs to have much more to protect children," it says.

Coordinator of 24-hour helpline "Childline" Shanta Nath is certain that the successful implementation of the Act will just not be possible in the absence of a rehabilitation programme for rescued children. "It would not be a success unless we are able to successfully rehabilitate rescued children. Some of these children are sole earners and supporting their families...where will they go? Just taking steps to prevent child labour is not enough. Moreover, it would also be difficult for implementing agencies to locate domestic workers unless society is sensitised," she says.

According to Save the Children national programme manager Manab Ray, after the recent amendment action can be taken against anyone who employs children less than 14 years for domestic work in homes or hotels. "But our research shows that 74 per cent of child domestic workers are between the age group 12 to 16 years and this amendment leaves a large chunk of child domestic workers out in the cold," Ray adds.