Lok Sabha Question No. 402 (STARRED), answered on 2020-03-23
Subject: Complaints Regarding Bonded Labourers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Virendra  Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 402 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.03.2020

## COMPLAINTS REGARDING BONDED LABOURERS

†*402. DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR:

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

- (a)whether  the  Government  has  received  information/  complaints regarding bonded labourers from various places in the country;
- (b)the State/UT-wise number of bonded labourers got freed during the last  three  years  and  the  details  of  efforts  made  for  rehabilitating them;
- (c)the details of action plan for complete abolition of bonded labour; and
- (d)whether any time limit has been fixed for this purpose and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NUMBER *402 FOR 23.03.2020 BY DR.VIRENDRA KUMAR.

(a) (c) & (d): Bonded Labour System has been abolished by law throughout the  country  with  effect  from  25 th October,  1975  by  promulgation  of  Bonded Labour  System  (Abolition)  Ordinance  on  25 th October,  1975.  This  was  later replaced  by      the  Bonded  Labour  System  (Abolition)  Act,  1976.    As  and  when existence of bonded labour is detected, such persons are identified for rehabilitation. Under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 identification,  release  and  rehabilitation  of  freed  bonded  labour  is  the  direct responsibility  of  the  concerned  States/Union  Territories.    However,  in  order  to assist the State Governments in the task of rehabilitation of identified and released bonded labour, a Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer2016 is in operation since 17.05.2016.  As per the Scheme, financial assistance to the  tune    of  Rs.  1.00  (one)    lakh,  2  (two)  lakhs,  3  (three)  lakhs  are  provided  to released  bonded  labourers  based  on  their  category  and  level  of  exploitation alongwith other non-cash assistance for their livelihood.  The non-cash assistance includes:

1. Allotment of house-site and agricultural land;
2. Land development;
3. Provision of low cost dwelling units;
4. Animal husbandry, diary, poultry, piggery etc.;
5. Wage employment, enforcement of minimum wages etc.;
6. Collection and processing of minor forest products;
7. Supply of essential commodities under targeted public distribution system
8. Education for children
9. Any other Welfare Scheme of State/Central Govt.

(b): The  State/UT-  wise  number  of  bonded  labourers  got  freed during  the  last  three  years  is  at  Annexure.  Under  the  Bonded  Labour  System (Abolition)  Act,  1976,  identification,  release  and  rehabilitation  of  freed  bonded labourer is the direct responsibility of the State Government/Union Territory. The central Government assists the State Governments in the task of rehabilitation of released bonded labourers.

ANNEXURE  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA  STARRED QUESTION NO.402 FOR 23.03.2020 REGARDING COMPLAINS REGARDING BONDED LABOURERS

## The State/UT-wise number of bonded labourers freed during the last three years is as under:

| State/UT       |   Bonded Labour released &Rehabilitated |
|----------------|-----------------------------------------|
| Bihar          |                                    2491 |
| Karnataka      |                                    1681 |
| Madhya Pradesh |                                       2 |
| Odisha         |                                    1000 |
| Rajasthan      |                                    1592 |
| Uttar Pradesh  |                                    4491 |
| Chhattisgarh   |                                     133 |
| Assam          |                                      12 |
| Pondicherry    |                                       9 |
| Jharkhand      |                                     118 |

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