Bonded Labour
Posted on 18 Jul, 2016 5:38 pm
The Bonded Labour System has been abolished by law throughout the country with effect from 25th 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.
The State-wise number of bonded labour released and rehabilitated during the last three years and current year is as under:
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|
|
Number of bonded labour released and rehabilitated |
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2013-14 |
Odisha |
28 |
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|
|
|
|
Uttar Pradesh |
|
|
|
2014-15 |
Chhattisgarh |
853 |
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|
Uttar Pradesh |
|
|
2016-17 |
NIL |
NIL |
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 17th 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.
This information was given by Shri Bandaru Dattatreya, Minister of State (IC) for Labour and Employment, in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.
Courtesy – Press Information Bureau, Government of India