Posting the press release ofNHRC for perusal of all.
SudhirMishra/Bolangir
SudhirMishra/Bolangir
In a swift move NHRC ensures rescue, release and rehabilitation
of 101 bonded labourers, mostly of Musahar community, in Bihar (07.4.2015)
PRESS RELEASE
New Delhi, 7th April, 2015
In a swift intervention by the National Human Rights Commission,
101 labourers of 38 families, engaged in bonded labour since generations in
Benipatti Sub-Division of Madhubani in Bihar, were not only rescued and
provided release certificates but also provided relief under various social
welfare schemes including some land towards their rehabilitation by the
concerned district authorities. Most of the rescued bonded labourers belonged
to the Scheduled Caste and were of Musahar community.
Two criminal cases have been registered against 18 errant
employers in the matter at Police Station Arer under various sections of law on
the 1st February, 2015. Their past wages will be recovered from their
employers. All the children of the rescued bonded labourers have been admitted
to schools, 26 girls have been covered in Chief Minister's security scheme. In
addition to this, the families of the rescued bonded labourers have also been
given benefits of Indira Awas Yojana, Indira Gandhi National old age pension
scheme, disability pension. Girls of marriageable age of 6 families have been
covered under the marriage scheme.
Meanwhile, the Commission has sent notices to the Secretary,
Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India, Principal Secretary,
Department of Labour and Labour Commissioner, Patna, Government of Bihar to
submit reports on release of funds from the share of the Central government in
respect of 101 released bonded laboruers as well as details about the remaining
amount from the State government within six weeks.
A notice has also been sent to the District Magistrate,
Madhubani, Bihar to submit a report on further steps taken for rehabilitation
of the victims and status of all the cases pending investigation with police
and pending adjudication before the courts within six weeks.
NHRC Member, Mr. Justice D. Murugesan has appreciated the
efforts of two officers of the Commission, Mr. A.K. Parashar, Joint Registrar
(Law) and Mr. O.P. Vyas, Assistant Registrar (Law), who conducted spot enquiry
in the matter. They have also been directed to visit the victims after about
three months to assess the rehabilitation measures taken by the State
Government.
He has also placed on record the efforts of District Magistrate,
Madhubani and Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Benipatti for their monitoring the
investigation being carried out by the police in both the criminal cases
besides the cases launched by the Labour Department in the Benipatti Court. The
District Magistrate has also assured to have taken all necessary steps for
ensuring safety and security of the victims, mostly belonging to Scheduled
Caste. The Commission expects that the District Magistrate and Sub-Divisional
Magistrate, who are young IAS Officers having many more years to serve will
continue to work with same enthusiasm and zeal in future for the welfare of
such poor people.
The Commission took cognizance of the matter on the basis of a
complaint received from an NGO in the month of December, 2014 alleging that
more than 38 families were being exploited under an illegal bonded labour
system in the revenue jurisdiction of Benipatti Sub-Division, Madhubani, Bihar.
These labourers were forced to work by their respective employers at their
respective agricultural lands under 'Kamiya' bonded labour custom. The labourers
were working since generations. They were not paid their statutory minimum
wages, instead they received two kilograms each (husband and wife) of raw rice
per day against their hard labour rendered. Most of the labourers belong to the
Scheduled Caste category (Musahar) and worked more than 10 hours a day. They
were trapped in a customary bonded labour system in which they were not free to
move out or to be employed elsewhere.
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