Lok Sabha Question No. 1304 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Bonded Labour
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Ashok Mahadeorao Nete

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1304

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19.09.2020

## BONDED LABOUR

†1304. SHRI ASHOK MAHADEORAO NETE:

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

- (a)the state-wise estimated number of bonded labourers, especially in backward and rural areas of Maharashtra state;
- (b)whether any scheme has been prepared or proposed to be prepared
- for their release and rehabilitation, if so, the details thereof;
- (c)the  State-wise  number  of  bonded  labourers  released/rehabilitated so far;
- (d)whether any assistance has been provided for the purpose especially  in  the  backward  and  rural  blocks  during  the  last  three years as on date; and
- (e)whether any committee has been constituted to identify the bonded labourers and take steps for their release and rehabilitation and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): The Government of India has implemented a Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer - 2016 w.e.f. 17.05.2016 under  which  financial  assistance  to  the  tune  of  Rs.  1.00  (one)  lakh, Rs.2.00  (two)  lakh  &  Rs.  3.00  (three)  lakh  are  provided  to  released bonded  labourers  based  on  their  category  and  level  of  exploitation along  with  other  non-cash  assistance  for  their  livelihood.  The  Statewise number of Bonded Labour identified/released and rehabilitated is enclosed as Annexure.

(d): The  expenditure/assistance during last three years under the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2016 is as under:

| Financial Year   |   Amount (Rs. In Lakhs) |
|------------------|-------------------------|
| 2017-18          |                  664.5  |
| 2018-19          |                  253.5  |
| 2019-20          |                   34.75 |

- (e): The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 provides an institutional mechanism at the District and Sub-Divisional level of the State Government in the form of Vigilance Committees, which are responsible for identification of bonded labours and the bonded labour system. As per the Section 13 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act,  1976,  every  State  Government  is  under  mandatory  obligation  to constitute  Vigilance  Committees  in  each  District  and  each  subDivision as it may think fit.

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## Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha un-starred question no. 1304 for dated 19.09.2020.

| Name of the State/UT   | Number of Bonded Labourers released and rehabilitated since 1978   | Number of Bonded Labourers released and rehabilitated since 1978   |
|------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|
|                        | Identified and Released                                            | Rehabilitated                                                      |
| Andhra Pradesh         | 38,141                                                             | 31,404                                                             |
| Arunachal Pradesh      | 3,526                                                              | 2992                                                               |
| Assam                  | 12                                                                 | 12                                                                 |
| Bihar                  | 17,886                                                             | 17,351                                                             |
| Chhattisgarh           | 3548                                                               | 3548                                                               |
| Gujarat                | 64                                                                 | 64                                                                 |
| Haryana                | 594                                                                | 92                                                                 |
| Jharkhand              | 314                                                                | 314                                                                |
| Karnataka              | 66,281                                                             | 60,029                                                             |
| Kerala                 | 823                                                                | 710                                                                |
| Madhya Pradesh         | 13,319                                                             | 12,394                                                             |
| Maharashtra            | 1,404                                                              | 1,325                                                              |
| Pudducherry            | 09                                                                 | 09                                                                 |
| Odisha                 | 51,441                                                             | 48,313                                                             |
| Punjab                 | 252                                                                | 252                                                                |
| Rajasthan              | 7,872                                                              | 6,715                                                              |
| Tamil Nadu             | 65,573                                                             | 65,573                                                             |
| Uttar Pradesh          | 42279                                                              | 42279                                                              |
| Uttaranchal            | 5                                                                  | 5                                                                  |
| West Bengal            | 344                                                                | 344                                                                |
| TOTAL                  | 3,13,687                                                           | *2,93,725                                                          |

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