NHRC ASKS ODISHA CHIEF SECY FOR ATR Friday, 18 March 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar (news published in The Pioneer)

NHRC ASKS ODISHA CHIEF SECY FOR ATR

Friday, 18 March 2016 | PNS | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the Chief Secretary of Odisha to submit an action-taken report (ATR) within four weeks on steps taken by the district Collectors for rehabilitation of released bonded labourers in the different districts of the State.

Taking note of a news story published in The Pioneer on December 11 last year, with headline ‘Bonded labourers rescued, not rehabilitated’, the NHRC issued the notice to the Chief Secretary on March 17.

Notably, there have been many complaints on denial of rehabilitation to the rescued labourers in different parts of Odisha with the phenomenon rampant in western Odisha where distress migration is a cause of concern for the authorities.

The hapless labourers after being expatriated to their home land from hazardous workplaces in outside States have to run from pillar to post for their rehabilitation as per law.

While in some cases, the labourers are left in the lurch, in several other cases, files are not processed due to bureaucratic apathy.

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NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION issued notice to Chief Secretary Government of Odisha on Rehabilitation ofBonded labour

Dear all

The NationalHuman Rights Commission NewDelhi has taken note ofthe story published in the Pioneer and issued notices to Chief secretary Odisha to Submit Action taken report within four weeks

NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
( L A W   D I V I S I O N )
		Tel.No.: 011-2338 5368
		Fax.No.: 011-2338 5368
		Telegraphic Add: HUMANRIGHTS
		Homepage: http://nhrc.nic.in
Case No.  921/18/2/2016
		Dated: 3/17/2016
To
THE CHIEF SECRETARY
GOVERNMENT OF ODISHA, BHUBANESWAR
Sir,
The Complaint dated 13/01/2016 was placed before the Commission on 02/02/2016. Upon perusing the complaint, the Commission directed as follows: The petitioner has alleged that the released bonded labourers in Odisha are not being rehabilitated by the concerned District Magistrate in many Districts. Let the complaint be transmitted to the Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha calling for action taken report within 04 weeks. 2. Accordingly, I am forwarding herewith a copy of the complaint for taking appropriate action in the matter as per the directions of the Commission. It is requested that an Action Taken Report be sent to the Commission within  from the date of reciept of this letter.
		Yours faithfully,
		ASSISTANT REGISTRAR (LAW)
Encl: Copy of the Complaint

BONDED LABOURERS RESCUED, NOT REHABILITATED Friday, 11 December 2015 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

NEWS IN ENGLISH DAILY THE PIONEER

BONDED LABOURERS RESCUED, NOT REHABILITATED

Friday, 11 December 2015 | SUDHIR MISHRA | BALANGIR | in Bhubaneswar

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I had gone to a brick kiln of Andhra Pradesh in 2012 to work as a labourer. But I along with many others were rescued and given release certificate after some time. We were assured of release of Rs 19, 000 at home. However, after returning home, I approached the local block officials and was told to contact both BDO and WEO to get the rehabilitation assistance. I submitted papers to them but till today, I have not received the money,” lamented Ragu Deep of Dumerpitha village of Deogaon block.

Dhuba Chinagur of Saan Patrapali of Naren gram panchayat of Titilagarh also had similar version. “I was rescued from a brick kiln of Tamil Nadu in 2011.  After returning here, I submitted the documents to the block officials for my rehabilitation assistance. However, they did not listen to us.”

Several bonded labourers of Balangir district staged a dharna before the Collectorate on occasion the Human Rights Day demanding immediate payment of their rehabilitation assistance and their inclusion in different social security schemes. They also demanded a comprehensive plan for their proper rehabilitation.

About 276 bonded labourers of Balangir district are yet to receive their rehabilitation assistance. We demand that the rehabilitation assistance be paid to them immediately and a comprehensive social security and livelihood plan be prepared and implemented for proper rehabilitation, said Dadan and Goti Surakshya Manch president Motilal Tandi.

“A total of 1,208 bonded  labourers in Odisha, which includes around 100 children and 500 women, were legally released and freed from bondage from the brick kilns by the Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka State Governments and repatriated them to Odisha between 2011 and 2014. As per the Bonded Labour Systems (Abolition) Act 1976, these legally released bonded labourers have the right to receive rehabilitation assistance of Rs 20,000. The rehabilitation assistance amount is shared by both the State and Central Governments.

While the State Government contributes 50 per cent of the assistance, the rest 50 per cent is borne by the Central Government, pointed out a civil society activist.

The Bonded Labour Systems (Abolitions) Act 1976 also envisages that the State Government should take such steps that the labourers released should not get into further bondage situation. Also, they are entitled to get Government entitlements to reduce the distress condition, he opined.

According to unofficial sources, 269 labourers in Balangir, 124 in Nuapada, 104 in Bargarh, 15 in Sonepur,12 in Sambalpur, eight in Gajapati, seven in Rayagada and five in Nabarangpur are yet to get the rehabilitation assistance.