Lok Sabha Question No. 22 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Rehabilitation in Backward and Rural Areas
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Ashok Kumar Rawat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 22

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## REHABILITATION IN BACKWARD AND RURAL AREAS

†22. SHRI ASHOK KUMAR RAWAT:

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

- (a)the estimated number of bonded labourers, especially in backward and rural areas as on date, State-wise,
- (b)  whether  any  scheme  has  been  formulated  or  proposed  to formulate  for  their  release  and  rehabilitation,  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (c)the  number  of  bonded  labourers  rescued/  rehabilitated  so  far,
- State-wise;
- (d)whether any assistance has been provided for this purpose during the last three years, especially in the backward and rural areas of
- the country, if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
- (e)whether any committee has been constituted or proposed to be constituted to trace, rescue and rehabilitate bonded labourers, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

- (a) to (d): The Ministry of Labour & Employment has been implementing a Central Sector Scheme viz. Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer  for  identification  and  rehabilitation  of  bonded  labourers. Under the Scheme, rehabilitation assistance to the tune of Rs. 1.00 lakh, Rs. 2.00 lakh and Rs. 3.00 lakh are provided to each rescued bonded labourers based on their category and level of exploitation. Besides, there is a provision to provide immediate financial assistance upto Rs. 30,000/- to each rescued bonded labour.

The rehabilitation assistance amount is provided by the respective State/Union Territories to the rescued bonded labourers which are reimbursed by Central Government. The details of number of bonded labourers rescued & rehabilitated and details of rehabilitation  amount  released  during  2020-21  to  2022-23,  Statewise, is annexed.

(e): Under the Bonded Labour Act, 1976, there is a provision of constitution  of  Vigilance  Committee  by  State  Government.  Every State  Government  shall,  by  notification  in  the  Official  Gazette, constitute such number of Vigilance Committees in each district and each  Sub-Division  as  it  may  think  fit.  The  vigilance  committee  is responsible for providing economic and social rehabilitation to the freed bonded labourers.

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## ANNEXURE REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (d)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO.  22  FOR  04.12.2023  BY  SHRI  ASHOK  KUMAR RAWAT REGARDING REHABILITATION IN BACKWARD AND RURAL AREAS.

| Year    | State/UT       |   Assistance (Rs. in lakh) |   No. of Bonded Labourer Rehabilitated |
|---------|----------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------|
| 2020-21 | Bihar          |                      43.65 |                                    220 |
| 2020-21 | West Bengal    |                      11.2  |                                     16 |
| 2020-21 | Rajasthan      |                       9.8  |                                     49 |
| 2020-21 | Assam          |                       2    |                                      1 |
| 2020-21 | Madhya Pradesh |                       6.2  |                                     34 |
| 2021-22 | Chhattisgarh   |                      50    |                                    250 |
| 2021-22 | Tamil Nadu     |                     203.13 |                                   1016 |
| 2021-22 | Bihar          |                      58    |                                    360 |
| 2021-22 | Rajasthan      |                      10    |                                     50 |
| 2022-23 | Rajasthan      |                      14    |                                     70 |
| 2022-23 | Uttar Pradesh  |                     390.2  |                                    287 |
| 2022-23 | Tamil Nadu     |                      59.4  |                                    297 |

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