Lok Sabha Question No. 23 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-18
Subject: Bonded Labour
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: RANGASWAMY DHRUVANARAYANA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 23

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.07.2016

## BONDED LABOUR

## 23. SHRI R. DHRUVA NARAYANA:

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

- (a)whether  bonded  labour  is  still  prevalent  in  the  country  despite
- stringent laws in force in this regard and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b)the details and number of bonded labourers rescued during the last
- three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
- (c)whether  the  Government  has  launched/proposes  to  launch  any scheme/plan  for  proper  identification  and  better  rehabilitation  of
- bonded labourers and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the  other  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  Government  for  strict enforcement of bonded labour related laws in the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI BANDARU DATTATREYA)

(a): The Bonded Labour System has been abolished by law throughout the  country  with  effect  from  25 th   October,  1975  under  the  Bonded Labour  System  (Abolition)  Ordinance  which  was  replaced  by  the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. Instances of prevalence of  bonded  labour  system  are  noticed  now  and  then  even  after  its abolition. The reasons are spelt out exhaustively at Section 2(g) of The Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. The root of the problem lies in the social customs and economic compulsions.

- (b): The State-wise number of bonded labour released and rehabilitated during the last three years and current year is as under:

| Year    | State         | Number of bonded labour released and rehabilitated   |
|---------|---------------|------------------------------------------------------|
| 2013-14 | Odisha        | 28                                                   |
|         | Rajasthan     | 150                                                  |
|         | Uttar Pradesh | 1800                                                 |
| 2014-15 | Chhattisgarh  | 853                                                  |
| 2015-16 | Uttar Pradesh | 2216                                                 |
| 2016-17 | NIL           | NIL                                                  |

(c) & (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  was  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.    The  revamped  scheme  is  known  as  'Central  Sector Scheme  for  Rehabilitation  of  Bonded  Labourer,  2016'.    The  salient features of the Scheme are as under:

- (1) The  revised  scheme  is  a  Central  Sector  Scheme.  The  State Government is not required to pay any matching contribution for the purpose of cash rehabilitation assistance.
- (2) Financial assistance has been increased from Rs. 20,000/- to one lakh  per  adult  male  beneficiary,  Rs.  2  lakh  for  child  labour &women and Rs. 3 lakh to trans-genders, or woman or children rescued from ostensible sexual exploitation.
- (3) The above cash benefit is additional to other land and housing elements etc.
- (4) The amount of assistance for survey of bonded labourers is Rs. 4.50 lakh per district.
- (5) The  release  of  rehabilitation  assistance  has  been  linked  with conviction of the accused.

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