of Rehabilitation Package to Bonded Labour under the schemes on
conviction in criminal cases. Once bonded labour is freed, he should be
compensated and rehabilitated.
14.As mandated in SOP-2017, the Summaiy Trial should be initiated within
24 hours of the identification or rescue, whichever is later and the
designated Magistrate should conclude the Summary Trials withm 3
months. In case the Summary Trial is not initiated and completed as per
the SOP-2017, where the SOP is operational, the concerned public servant
be held accountable.
15. The District Administration should hear the expenses ofproviding food and
safe transportation facilities to the released labourers. The process must be
in compliance with the travel norms and health care instructions issued by
the government.
16. In context of Non-Cash Assistance, the District Magistrate to ensure that
the benefits available under CSS -2016 such as allotment ofhouse-site and
agricultural land, land development, provision of low cost dwelling units,
animal husbandry, dairy, poultry, piggery, etc., wage employment,
enforcement of minimum wages etc., collection and processing of minor
forest products, supply of essential commodities under Targeted Public
Distribution System and education to children, should be given to the
families of released bonded labourers.
17. There is a need to provide timely compensation from the earmarked funds
"to the affected bonded labourer belonging to SC/ST communities in
accordance with the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
(Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 and the associated rules thereof
Benefits under the Act shall be independent of other benefits under the
existing schemes and programmes for that particular group.
In all the above actions, the District Administration/ State Government
should direct its officials to treat the bonded labourers with dignity and
respect.
Recommendations for the Central and State Governments
a. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India to ensure
that the proposals for reimbursement of cash assistance be cleared
immediately after receipt of the proposal by the State and also ensure that
the format for submission for Utilization Certificates (UCs) and other
reports be simplified and standardized.
b. The Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India to sensitize
the Police and District Authorities for ensuring invocation of requisite
provisions of SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989 wherever the victims belong to the
3 j Pa g e