Annual Report - National Human Rights Commission

Scourge of Bonded Labour
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with Section 13 of the Act, within a period of six months from today;
(c) All the State Governments and Union Territories shall make proper arrangements for
rehabilitating released bonded labourers. Such rehabilitation could be on land-based
basis depending upon the choice of bonded labour and his/her inclination and past
experience. If the States are not in a position to make arrangements for such rehabilitation,
then they shall identify two philanthropic organizations or NGOs with proven track
record and good reputation with basic facilities for rehabilitating released bonded
labourers within a period of six months;
(d) The State Governments and Union Territories shall chalk out a detailed plan for
rehabilitating released bonded labourers either by itself or with the involvement of such
organizations or NGOs within a period of six months;
(e) The Union and State Governments shall submit a plan within a period of six months for
sharing the money under the modified Centrally Sponsored Scheme, in the case where
the States wish to involve such organizations or NGOs;
(f) The State Governments and Union Territories shall make arrangements to sensitize the
District Magistrate and other Statutory authorities/committees in respect of their duties
under the Act.
(g) The Union and State Governments have been directed to file affidavits delineating the
above aspects within a period of 6 months. All other aspects pointed out by the NHRC
and other directions sought to be issued by the Amicus Curie would be considered
thereafter.
9.3 The directions were transmitted to all the State Governments and UTs for compliance. The
Commission has been monitoring the progress of implementation of the Bonded Labour System
(Abolition) Act on the basis of the half-yearly information on identification, release and
rehabilitation of bonded labour received from the State Governments/UT Administrations.
9.4 The Chairperson Dr. Justice A.S. Anand with assistance from the Special Rapporteur
reviewed the bonded labour situation in Rajasthan in a meeting held at Jaipur on 07-10-2004.
The Special Rapportuer carried out reviews of the Bonded Labour situation in UP, MP, Bihar,
Punjab, Jharkhand and Maharashtra during the period of report by visiting the State HQ and
holding meetings with the authorities concerned. The salient points emerging from these reviews
are given below State-wise.
Rajasthan
9.5 11 districts of Rajasthan, namely Baran, Kota, Barmer, Chittorgarh, Bhilwara, Jhalawar,
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