Lok Sabha Question No. 3162 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-12-05
Subject: Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour Scheme-2016
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL, VISHNU DAYAL RAM

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3162 TO BE ANSWERED ON 5.12.2016

## REHABILITATION OF BONDED LABOUR SCHEME-2016

3162. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL: SHRI VISHNU DAYAL RAM:

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

- (a)the salient features of the Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour Scheme - 2016;
- (b)the  quantum  of  financial  assistance  available  and  the  timeline  for  final disbursement of cash to be granted to the rescued bonded labourer along with  the  budgetary  allocation  made  under  the  scheme  for  the  current financial year;
- (c)whether  a  release  certificate  is  required  to  be  issued  immediately  after the  rescue  of  the  bonded  labourer  to  enable  his/her  to  avail  non-cash benefits and if so, the details thereof;
- (d)whether a release certificate will be provided if bonded labourer is found to be present but no conviction takes place and if so, the details thereof along  with  the  manner  in  which  the  Government  proposes  to  deal  with cases involving international victim or refugees;
- (e)whether the scheme provides for a choice of place of rehabilitation to the rescued bonded labourers in cases where the place of rescue is not the same as their source State and if so, the details thereof; and
- (f)whether the child bonded labourer working in non-hazardous industries are entitled for the release certificate under the scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a) to (f): 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  which  was  replaced  by  the  Bonded  Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Under the Act, it is the responsibility of State governments to identify, release and rehabilitate the bonded labour.

The Act affords protection to the freed bonded labourers from eviction  from  their  homestead.  District  Administration  is  mandated  to restore the bonded labourer to the possession of such homestead or other residential premises as early as practicable. The Act also provides for the economic and social rehabilitation of the freed bonded labourers.

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 was 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.  The revamped scheme is known as the 'Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers, 2016'.

## The salient features of the Scheme are as under:

- (1) The  revised  scheme  is  a  Central  Sector  Scheme.  The  State Government is not required  to  pay  any  matching  contribution  for the purpose of cash rehabilitation assistance.
- (2) Financial assistance has been increased from Rs. 20,000/- to one lakh  per  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  woman  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.
- (3) The  amount  of  assistance  for  survey  of  bonded  labourers  is  Rs. 4.50 lakh per district.
- (4) The  release  of  rehabilitation  assistance  has  been  linked  with conviction of the accused.   In cases where the trial has not been concluded, but the District Administration  has  arrived  at  a  prima facie  finding  and  proof  of  bondage,  then  the  proposal  for  cash assistance shall not be stopped for want of details of conviction. However,  final  disbursement  of  cash  assistance  and  non-cash assistance  shall  be  made  upon  proof  of  bondage  and  other  legal consequences as per judicial process.

Contd..3/-

- (5) Scheme  provides  for  creation  of  a  Bonded  Labour  Rehabilitation Fund at District level by each State with a permanent corpus of at least  Rs.  10  lakh  at  the  disposal  of  the  District  Magistrate  for extending immediate help to the released bonded labourers.
- (6) The  fund  is  released  by  the  Ministry  under  the  Scheme  to  the District  National  Child  Labour  Project  Society  and  the  District Project  Society  in  turn  releases  the  fund  to  the  implementing agencies including the district administration.
- (7) Special  care  is  made  available  by  the  State  for  addressing  the needs of the disabled persons,  female freed bonded labourers and bonded child labour by providing safe and secure environment for the  capacity  building  of  child  bonded  labourers,    facilities  for ensuring  their  proper  education,  short  stay  home  till  education upto class 12th , skill development, marriage assistance etc.
- (8) The benefits prescribed above shall be, in addition to, other cash or  non-cash  benefits  which  a  beneficiary  under  this  scheme  is entitled to, by or under any other scheme or law applicable for the time being in force. Further, the above benefits would be additionality to other land and housing elements etc. as mentioned below:
5. 
6. 
7. 
8. 
9. 
10. 
11. Allotment of house-site and agricultural land.
12. Land development.
13. Provision of low cost dwelling units.
14. Animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, piggery etc.
15. Wage employment, enforcement of minimum wages etc.
16. Collection and processing of minor forest products.
17.  Supply of essential commodities under targeted public distribution system.
18. 
19. Education for children.

The budget allocation available under the Scheme for the current financial year is Rs. three crore. Every bonded labour including child bonded labour  in  the  country  is  covered  under  the  Scheme.    In  case  of  migrant State  Governments/Union Territory Administrations, where the bonded labour have been identified, to make  arrangements  for  their  repatriation  to  their  native  place,  if  they  so bonded  labourers, it is responsibility of the desire.

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