Lok Sabha Question No. 2296 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-01-01
Subject: Alleged Cases of Slavery
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: B.V. NAYAK

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2296

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.01.2018

## ALLEGED CASES OF SLAVERY

2296. PROF. A.S.R. NAIK:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether India is reportedly the home to highest number of slaves in the world;
- (b)if so, the details thereof;
- (c)whether this is likely to affect the country's image and exports and impact its effect to achieve sustainable development goals; and (d)if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): Article  23  of  the  Constitution  of  India  prohibits  'begar' and other similar forms of forced labour and further provide that any contravention of the said prohibition shall be an offence punishable in accordance with law.

The Central Government  is fully committed towards eradication of the bonded labour system.

Accordingly,  Bonded  Labour  System  has  been  abolished by  law  throughout  the  country  with  effect  from  25 th   October,  1975 under  the  Bonded  Labour  System  (Abolition)  Ordinance  with  was replaced by the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

Under the Act, identification, release and rehabilitation of freed  bonded  labour  is  the  direct  responsibility  of  the  concerned State Government/Union Territory.  Action against the guilty is taken by them under the Act.

In  Order  to  assist  the  State  Governments  in  the  task  of rehabilitation of identified and released bonded labourers, a Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour has been in  operation  since  May,  1978.    The  Government  has  revamped  the Centrally Sponsored  Plan Scheme  for Rehabilitation of  Bonded Labourers  with  effect  from  17 th   May,  2016.    Under  the  revamped Scheme,  financial  assistance    is  provided  for  rehabilitation  of  a rescued bonded labourer at the rate of rupees one lakh for adult male beneficiary,  Rs.  2  lakh  for  special  category  beneficiaries  such  as children including orphans or those rescued from organized & forced begging rings or other forms of forced child labour, and women and Rs.  3  lakh  in  cases  of  bonded  or  forced  labour  involving  extreme cases  of  deprivation  or  marginalization  such  as  trans-genders,  or women or children rescued from ostensible sexual exploitation such as brothels, massage parlours, placement agencies etc., or trafficking,  or  in  cases  of  differently  abled  persons,  or  in  situations where the District Magistrate deems fit.

The  Scheme  also  provides  for  financial  assistance  of Rs.  4.50  lakh  per  district  to  the  States  for  conducting  survey  of and bonded labourers, Rs. 1.00 Lakh for evaluatory studies Rs.  10 Lakhs per State per annum for awareness generation.

According to the reports received from the State Governments,  the  total  number  of  bonded  labourers  released  and rehabilitated till date is 2,91,449.

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