Lok Sabha Question No. 4336 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-07
Subject: Implementation of Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers 2016 Maharashtra
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: POONAM  MAHAJAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4336 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.01.2019

## IMPLEMENTATION OF CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEME FOR REHABILITATION OF BONDED LABOURERS 2016 MAHARASHTRA

## 4336. SHRIMATI POONAM MAHAJAN:

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

- (a)whether  the  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded Labourers, 2016 is being implemented in the State of Maharashtra;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  along  with  the  salient  features  of  the Scheme and its impact on the State of Maharashtra;
- (c)the number of bonded labourers rehabilitated in Maharashtra since the inception of the scheme, year wise; and
- (d)the year-wise amount of funds allocated for implementing the said Scheme in Maharashtra, year-wise since its inception?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (d): 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.  This Scheme is applicable all  over  India,  including  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra.    The  salient features  of  the  'Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded Labourer, 2016' are as under:

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 where  the  District of differently abled  persons,  or in situations Magistrate deems fit.

The  financial  assistance  for  rehabilitation  is  100%  funded by the Central Government.

The  Scheme  also  provides  for  financial  assistance  of  Rs. 4.50  lakh  per  district  to  the  States  for  conducting  survey  of  bonded labourers, Rs. 1.00 Lakh for evaluatory studies and Rs.  10 Lakhs per State  per  annum  for  awareness  generation.  Central  Government  will give  50%  of  the  amount  required  for  conducting  Survey,  Awareness Generation and Evaluatory Studies in advance. A State may conduct survey  once  in  every  three  years  per  sensitive  district.  A  State  may conduct five Evaluatory Studies per year.

The  release  of  rehabilitation  assistance  has  been  linked with conviction of the accused. However, immediate assistance upto Rs.  20,000/-  may  be  provided  to  the  rescued  bonded  labour  by  the conviction

District Administration irrespective of the status of proceedings.

The  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.

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.

Under the Central Sector Scheme for the Rehabilitation of Bonded  Labour, 2016, the District Administration will send the financial demand the State's concerned Ministry/ Department dealing with the Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Scheme and the State Ministry/Department will send the proposal to the Central Government. No  such  proposal  has  been  received  from  the  Govt.  of  Maharashtra, under  the  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  the  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded Labour,  2016.    However,  since  the  inception  of  the  Bonded  Labour System (Abolition)  Act,  1976,  in  the  State  of  Maharashtra,  a  total  of 1404 number of bonded labourers were identified and released, out of which  1325  were  rehabilitated  and  a  total  of  Rs.10.10  lakhs  was provided as Central Assistance in this respect.

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