Lok Sabha Question No. 3263 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-16
Subject: Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourers-2021
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Dr. Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Smt. Shambhavi, Shri Naresh Ganpat Mhaske

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3263 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.12.2024

## CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEME FOR REHABILITATION OF BONDED

## LABOURERS-2021

3263. SHRI NARESH GANPAT MHASKE: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE: SMT. SHAMBHAVI:

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

- (a)the details of the measures that have been implemented by the Government to ensure effective execution of the Central Sector Scheme  for  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded  Labourers-2021  during  the last three years;
- (b)the manner in which the performance of this revamped scheme been evaluated by the Government after post-implementation and key findings that have emerged;
- (c)the details of the specific assistance provided by the Government to special categories of beneficiaries, including women, children, and persons with disabilities under the said scheme;
- (d)the details of number of bonded labourers rehabilitated since the scheme's  inception  and  the  financial  allocation  made  for  their rehabilitation; and
- (e)the details of the steps being taken by the Government to enhance awareness  and  collaboration  among  State  Governments,  NGOs, and  other  stakeholders  in  eradicating  bonded  labour  in  the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a) to (e): Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  is  implementing  a Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer-2021 for  identification  and  release  of  bonded  labourer.  It  is  a  demand driven scheme where funds are re-imbursed to concerned States/UTs governments on receipt of proposal from them. The scheme provides inter-alia the following:

- immediate financial assistance amounting up to Rs. 30,000/- for each case of rehabilitation.
- rehabilitation assistance to the tune of Rs. 1.00 lakh (for adult men), Rs. 2.00 lakh (for special category labourers) and Rs. 3.00 lakh  (bonded  or  forced  labour  involving  extreme  cases  of deprivation or marginalization) to each rescued bonded labourers based on their category and level of exploitation.
- financial assistance of Rs. 4.50 lakh per district to the states for conducting survey once in every three years per sensitive district, Rs. 1.50 lakh for evaluatory studies (maximum of five evaluatory  studies  per  year)  and  Rs.  10  lakhs  per  state  per annum for awareness generation.

The  Institute  of  Human  Development  carried  out  third party evaluation of the Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour in FY 2020-21 to evaluate efficacy of the scheme. On the basis of suggestions/recommendation contained in the Evaluation Report, the scheme was revamped in January, 2022 and henceforth is  known  as  Central  Sector  Scheme  for  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded

Labourer-2021.

Since inception of the Scheme, a total 2,96,795 number of bonded labourers have been rehabilitated and Rs. 105.58 crores has been reimbursed towards their rehabilitation.

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