With the United States persistently pursuing India to act against the use of child labour in industry, the government may soon hold a public hearing to collect information on child labour, particularly in export units. The move comes following a recent request by the US department of labour to Indian authorities to convene a public hearing to gather information on use of child and forced labour, official sources said. The issue assumes significance following the recent controversy involving child labour allegations against Indian suppliers of clothing retail major GAP Inc and the company withdrawing from their European and American stores those garments sourced from Indian vendors. The departments of handicrafts, textiles, labour and commerce are working on the matter along with industry body Ficci and Federation of Indian Export Organisations, the apex body for exporters. "The matter originated from the controversy concerning GAP Inc. The US has an internal mechanism by which they attempt collecting information on child labour across the world,' an official said, adding that "following the US department of Labour's notice, the Indian Carpet Export Promotion Council would soon make a presentation in this matter to explain the situation.' Soon after the controversy broke out, the Export Promotion Councils (EPC) of five labour-sensitive sectors in the country