The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has issued guidelines with the objective of preventing mental harassment and sexual exploitation of children by TV, film producers and Jatra party owners. It has asked them to obtain permission from collectors regarding the children’s participation in their shows.

Chairperson of OSCPCR Mandakinee Kar told The Telegraph, “It has come to the notice of the commission that there are growing incidences of engaging children and adolescents in the entertainment industry and commercial entertainment activities, especially in TV, cinema, Jatras and live theatres posing a threat to the protection of their rights. In consonance with the existing Acts and Rules, the commission issued a detailed advisory for the safety and security of children and adolescents engaged in the entertainment sector.”

She said: “As per the guidelines, any TV/film producer, Jatra party owner requiring a child’s participation must first obtain permission from the collector of the district where the activity will take place.”

She said they must provide the district magistrate with an undertaking a list of child participants, parental or guardian consent and the name of the person responsible for the child’s safety and security.

The district magistrate may instruct the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) to inspect the workplace and issue a permit to the producer, Jatra party, or theatre owner accordingly.

The directives also include that for live shows, there must be an announcement specifying that all necessary measures are taken to ensure no child was abused, neglected, or exploited during the performance or shooting.

The DCPU must provide a list of the children engaged as child artists to the concerned Child Welfare Committee and the Labour Inspector of the district. “These provisions include ensuring facilities for the child’s physical and mental health, timely nutritional diet, safe and clean shelter with necessary daily provisions, and compliance with all applicable laws protecting children’s rights to education, care, protection and protection against sexual offences,” the guideline reads.

The guidelines say no child or adolescent should be exposed to ridicule, insult, discouragement, harsh comments, or any behaviour that could affect their emotional health. No child should be made to exhibit their body or any part of it in a way that it is seen by others.

“Infants under three months old may not participate in shows except for programmes promoting breastfeeding or immunisation,” it reads, adding that all production units and Jatra parties must develop guidelines for dealing with children/adolescents on set.

Producers and Jatra party owners must ensure that children/adolescents receive adequate and nutritious food and water during the shooting and live performance. No child shall work more than five hours a day, and no more than three hours without a break. Priority should be given to the child’s/adolescent’s class and exam schedules to ensure their education continues.

Yatra activist Hara Barik said: “The government must ensure that an anti-harassment cell is set up in every jatra party. Similar steps should be in TV serial production houses to check child exploitation.”

Madhumita Pradhan, the mother of a child artist, said: “I had the bitter experience of taking my child Saanvi to a TV reality show. The shooting was at 10.30pm in the studio, but we were asked to be present at 11am. There were no food packets and nothing. It’s sheer mental torture. Coming out of the studio at 11.30pm and heading for the house in an auto is a bitter experience.”