Judge calls for legal action against bonded labour practitioners

Mandya: District and sessions judge and chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, JN Subramanya, has called for strict legal action against those practising bonded labour. He asserting that filing criminal cases without leniency is essential to completely eradicate the inhumane system.Speaking after inaugurating an awareness programme on the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, at the ZP in Mandya on Wednesday, the judge observed that the prevalence of bonded labour has gradually declined with improved access to education among rural children.However, he noted that the practice still persists in drought-and flood-prone regions where food insecurity was high, and in areas dominated by private moneylending. "It came to the attention of authorities that bonded labour continued in certain pockets. Every department of the govt must take firm steps to eliminate it completely," he said.He stressed that criminal cases must be registered against individuals who directly or indirectly promoted or practised bonded labour. Sending offenders to jail, he said, would act as a strong deterrent. "There should be no room for compromise in implementing the law," he added.Deputy commissioner Kumara said the eradication of bonded labour is a collective social responsibility. He observed that despite improvements in literacy and development since Independence, the continued existence of bonded labour remains a blot on a civilised society. Forced exploitation of one human by another is both illegal and inhumane, he said, identifying socio-economic inequality as the root cause.He added that over the past year, ZP executive officers have worked towards making the district free of bonded labour by identifying victims, issuing special identity cards, and facilitating their access to various govt schemes.CEO of ZP KR Nandini highlighted the success of the "Nanna Gurutu" (My Identity) project, under which 84 rescued individuals were linked to welfare benefits. Under the Swavalambi Sarathi scheme of the D Devaraj Urs backward classes welfare department, a car was provided to a liberated individual to support livelihood generation.Senior civil judge and member secretary Anand M and psychologist Pratham were also present.