Rehabilitation of released bonded labourers reviewed in Shivpuri
At the instance of the Commission, Shri Chaman Lal, Special Rapporteur, NHRC reviewed the Bonded Labour Rehabilitation Project in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh which he visited on 25 March 2003. Some nomadic families belonging to the Saharia tribe, who were employed as bonded labourers in the stone-quarries in District Gwalior, were released earlier through the intervention of Bandhua Mukti Morcha in July 2002. Four families comprising seven members (4 male and 3 female) had expressed their desire for settlement in District Shivpuri and were accordingly rehabilitated in the village Thakarpura, Shivpuri Town Ward. However, eleven families comprising 20 members (11 male and 9 female) chose to go to Ishagarh in District Guna. When things were not going to their liking in District Guna, these families migrated to Kolaras in District Shivpuri and started working as casual labourers. They were contacted by the pro-active officials of the district administration, who, after learning about their desire to settle in Shivpuri, made arrangements to rehabilitate them in village Banskheri. They were provided with land for homestead purposes and given financial assistance to construct houses under the Indira Awas Yojana. Firm arrangements for providing them with sustainable means of livelihood were also initiated.
The Special Rapporteur of the Commission in his visit report noted that settlement of these 15 families of released bonded labourers in the District Shivpuri offered an excellent example of the scheme of rehabilitation ordered by the Supreme Court in its order of 13 May 1994. The released labourers had not only regained their physical freedom but were also provided the means to earn their livelihood and lead a dignified life.
Upon perusing the report of Shri Chaman Lal, the Commission commended the initiative of the young District Magistrate, Shivpuri, Shri Kanta Rao, and expressed its appreciation of the promptness with which the relief and rehabilitation proposals were processed by the Labour Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh.
The Special Rapporteur of the Commission in his visit report noted that settlement of these 15 families of released bonded labourers in the District Shivpuri offered an excellent example of the scheme of rehabilitation ordered by the Supreme Court in its order of 13 May 1994. The released labourers had not only regained their physical freedom but were also provided the means to earn their livelihood and lead a dignified life.
Upon perusing the report of Shri Chaman Lal, the Commission commended the initiative of the young District Magistrate, Shivpuri, Shri Kanta Rao, and expressed its appreciation of the promptness with which the relief and rehabilitation proposals were processed by the Labour Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh.