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, State-wise, is annexed.
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.
Annexure
| Year | State/UT | Assistance (Rs. in lakh) | No. of Bonded Labourer Rehabilitated |
|
2020-21 |
Bihar | 43.65 | 220 |
| West Bengal | 11.20 | 16 | |
| Rajasthan | 09.80 | 49 | |
| Assam | 02.00 | 1 | |
| Madhya Pradesh |
06.20 |
34 |
|
|
2021-22 |
Chhattisgarh | 50.00 | 250 |
| Tamil Nadu | 203.13 | 1016 | |
| Bihar | 58 | 360 | |
| Rajasthan | 10.00 | 50 | |
|
2022-23 |
Rajasthan | 14.00 | 70 |
| Uttar Pradesh | 390.20 | 287 | |
| Tamil Nadu | 59.40 | 297 |
This information was given by Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shri. Rameshwar Teli in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
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