The Government has adopted a multi- pronged strategy for abolition of bonded labourers system:
(i) Central Government enacted the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976; The Act empowers Executive Magistrates to exercise powers of Judicial Magistrate of first or second class for trial of offences; Vigilance Committees at District and Sub-divisional levels have been prescribed to identify and rehabilitate bonded labourers and
(ii) Implementation of Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers: Under the Scheme, the Government of India provides financial assistance amounting to Rs.30,000/- for each case of rehabilitation. In addition to the financial assistance, the beneficiaries are also entitled for the following non-cash assistance from the respective State Government:
- Allotment of House/site & agricultural land
- Land development
- Provision of low cost dwelling Units.
- Animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, piggery etc.
- Wage employment, enforcement of minimum wages etc.
- Collection and processing of minor forest products.
- Supply of essential commodities under targeted public distribution system.
- Education for children.
The details of bonded labourers rehabilitated under the Central Sector Scheme viz. Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour, State / UT- wise, during 2020 -21, 2021-22 and 2022-23 (up to February 2023) is as under:
Year
|
State/UT
|
Number of bonded labourers rescued/ rehabilitated
|
2020-21
|
Assam
|
1
|
Bihar
|
220
|
Madhya Pradesh
|
34
|
Rajasthan
|
49
|
West Bengal
|
16
|
2021-22
|
Bihar
|
360
|
Tamil Nadu
|
1016
|
Rajasthan
|
50
|
Chhattisgarh
|
250
|
2022-23*
|
Rajasthan
|
70
|
Tamil Nadu
|
297
|
Uttar Pradesh
|
287
|
* upto February 2023.
The details of fund allocated under the scheme “Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer” since 2018 are as under:
(Rs.in crore)
Year
|
Budget Estimate
|
2018-19
|
10.00
|
2019-20
|
8.00
|
2020-21
|
10.00
|
2021-22
|
10.00
|
2022-23
|
10.00
|
This information was given by Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shri Rameswar Teli in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha.
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MJPS/SSV