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Press Information Bureau
Government of India
Ministry of Labour & Employment
23 MAR 2023 4:56PM by PIB Delhi
Government adopts multi- pronged strategy to abolish bonded labourers system

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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