UP tops in bonded labour cases

Northeastern states fare better: NHRC

According to NHRC data, UP tops the list with 1,300 cases related to bonded labour, followed by Punjab (465) and  Haryana (425).

Country’s national capital Delhi is at ninth position with 45 such cases. Minimum numbers of human right violation cases pertaining to bonded labour have been reported from Northeastern states.

Expressing helplessness and anguish over the issue, NHRC member Justice B C Patel said not much has been done to address the problem.

 “Police, sub-divisional magistrate, collectors and employers have joined hands with mafia indulging in bonded labour. They find one  or the another reason to delay things. When we seek report, when we summon them, there are various excuses,” Patel said adding “the mindset of the government officers and bureaucrats must change.”

Face resistance

“The Supreme Court has asked the NHRC to look into the cases of bonded labour but we face resistance from the government officials,” he added.

Justice Patel informed that over 40 per cent of around 2,800 cases related to bonded labour, that had reached the NHRC in the past 18 years, are yet to be solved.

According to NHRC statistics, a total of 2,792 cases of bonded labour have been reported since 1993. However, 751 cases are yet to be solved as the commission could clear only 1,645 cases.

There are 10 states and Union Territories from where complaints were not received in the past 18 years.