THE government has directed export promotion councils to conduct social auditing of their members before exporting products to rule out any involvement of child labour. The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights' (NCPCR) directive is significant in the light of rejection of several export consignments by buyers due to involvement of child labour in the manufacturing process. Certain carpet industry, leather units and garment companies have been allegedly found using child labour in their facilities. NCPCR has directed the states and export promotion councils to set up a self-regulatory mechanism to check the child labour from supply to export stage. It has also asked them to initiate social auditing to make sure that no child labour is engaged in any form, an official in the ministry of women & child development said. NCPCR has directed states to set up task forces under respective district collectors to conduct social audits and ensure that there is no child labour involved in any industry. "Many children are recruited as bonded labourers. The commission has taken cognisance of reports of children being trafficked and employed in cotton fields, zari and embroidery-making and many other industries. In spite of the notification prohibiting employment of children in domestic shops and establishments, there are millions of children still being engaged as help,' NCPCR chairperson Shanta Sinha said in a communication.