Infants under three months of age should not be casted; NCPCR issues draft guidelines for child artists

NEW DELHI: The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has issued draft guidelines for child artists. According to the guidelines, children below the age of six years shall not be exposed to harmful lighting, irritating or contaminated cosmetics. Infants below the age of three months shall not be allowed to participate in shows apart from promotional programmes on breastfeeding and immunisation, directed the commission.

Children should be given breaks in every three hours, no child should work for more than six hours, or between 7 pm and 8 am. The producers will also be liable for making arrangements for the education of the child artists. Children will need to register their names with the district magistrate.

Child artists should not be compelled to participate in shows that ridicule, embarrasses, or cause distress to them. In addition, children should not be shown consuming alcohol, smoking or using any other substance. Those involved in the production, who may be in contact with children, are mandated to submit a medical fitness certificate and certificate for not carrying an obvious contagious disease before shooting.