Annual Report 2009-2010 4.220 The compliance report along with proof of payment is awaited from the Government of Bihar. g) Bonded Labour and Child Labour 36. Bonded Labour in Ferozepur District of Punjab (Case No. 144/19/2002-2003) 4.221 The Commission received a complaint dated 9 May 2002 from Shri Jai Singh, President of Dalit Dasta Virodhi Andolan alleging that Balvir Singh, a Majbi Sikh and Scheduled Caste belonging to Ferozepur Tehsil and District was being forced to work as bonded labourer by one Harwinder Singh in consideration of a bond debt of Rs.10,000/- taken at the interest rate of 5 per cent per month. It was further alleged that he was working as siri with the landlord at a paltry salary of Rs.20,000/- per annum. However, the landlord had been paying him a pe�y amount of Rs.300/- per month only. In spite of working with the landlord for the last 7 years, the landlord still claimed Rs.70,000/- as a balance amount towards him which he was not able to pay back. He was not allowed to go anywhere else where he could earn a be�er wage. It was hence prayed by the complainant to the Commission to facilitate release of Balvir Singh from the bonded debt and rehabilitate him. 4.222 Pursuant to the directions of the Commission, it was informed by the Addl. Deputy Commissioner of Ferozepur that criminal action u/s 16 of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act had been initiated against the said employer. Since a release certificate had not been issued, a fresh enquiry was ordered. It was further reported by the Deputy Commissioner of Foreozepur vide le�er dated 5 December 2008 that during the course of a fresh enquiry, statements were recorded which indicated a compromise was reached between the employer and the employee as Balvir Singh had no complaint against the landlord. The allegations of bonded labour as such could not be substantiated. 4.223 The Commission considered the report on 25 March 2009 and observed as under: “Bonded labour is a socio-economic evil. The purpose of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act is to eradicate this evil. Even if an employer makes peace with the bonded labourer, the District Administration is not absolved of its responsibility to take appropriate action under the provisions of the Act. The District Magistrate is required to hold an inquiry and find out whether a bond debt was advanced to the labourer and whether he was forced to render services in consideration of such a debt. If these two questions are answered in the affirmative, the labourer has to be rehabilitated in an appropriate manner. Since a compromise between the employer and the bonded labourer cannot efface the provisions of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, the Deputy Commissioner of Ferozepur is directed to hold an inquiry and determine whether Balvir Singh was a bonded labourer and depending on the result of the inquiry take appropriate action. The inquiry report be submi�ed to the Commission within eight weeks”. NHRC 51