SC: All States and UTs to conduct Fresh Surveys to identify Bonded Labour Problems

The Supreme Court of India on 15 October 2012 directed all states and Union Territories to conduct fresh surveys to identify bonded labour problems in the country and regretted that a large number of children continue to work as domestic help even after the enactment of the Right to Education Act (RTE act).

A bench of justices K S Radhakrishnan and Dipak Misra ruled in a judgment that it shall be the duty of the local bodies and panchayats to identify such children and ensure that they get proper education. Referring to bonded labour practice, the apex court noted that after the perusal of the NHRC (National Human Rights Commission) and other reports it is clear that the practice is rampant. The court passed the directions while dealing with a 1985 PIL filed by Public Union For Civil Liberties, highlighting bonded labour practice in the country.