NHRC, India Mishra. 7.42 Following were the existing issues discussed with regard to the Bonded Labour system: i. Lack of proper implementation of the relevant Schemes and associated laws and provisions relating to Bonded Labour ii. Non-issuance of timely Release Certificates to the rescued bonded labourers iii. Inadequate monitoring of the court cases iv. Linking rehabilitation with conviction is not appropriate v. Lack of awareness vi. Lack of Coordination between the district, state and central functionaries. vii. Lack of effective functioning of Vigilance Committees at District/sub-divisional level. 7.43 After elaborate discussions on the aforementioned agenda items, the following recommendations emanated: i. It was suggested that a National Action Plan (NAP) be prepared to solve the issues and challenges in the implementation of the Bonded Labour System (Abolition)Act, 1976. ii. Civil society organisations are encouraged to create awareness among individuals to report incidents of bonded labour to respective authorities. iii. To conduct workshops on a regular basis for sensitisation of concerned implementing authorities and other stakeholders. iv. To conduct research on the issues related to bonded labour and also to revise the Handbook on Bonded Labour for a comprehensive updated Compendium. v. Regular monitoring of rehabilitation measures and other benefits under the scheme related to bonded labour. vi. Adequate funds need to be provided for all the districts as per requirement. vii. Revisiting the areas involved in keeping the labourers in bondage under the changed economic scenario. viii. To sensitise the Police and District Authorities for ensuring invocation of requisite provisions of SC/ST (PoA) Act, 1989, wherever the victims belong to the SC/ST communities and further steps thereon for relief as mandated under the Atrocities Act and rules made thereunder. ix. Vigilance Committees be operationalised, made functional in all States/UTs and their constitution be reflected on National Portal for vigil. Data and other relevant information related to Vigilance Committee’s functioning be uploaded to enable review of the status and fixing accountability of the Committees in every District. ANNUAL REPORT 82 2021-22