bonded labor system abolition act 1976, extinguishment of liability, implementing authorities, punishment, miscellaneous

1. By Shreyan Dutta
Roll No. 42

2.  Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976
has been passed to abolish bonded labour
system to prevent economic and physical
exploitation of the weaker sections.
 The provisions of this Act shall have effect
notwithstanding anything inconsistent
therewith contained in any enactment other
than this Act (S.3).
 Every bonded labourer shall stand free and
discharged from any obligation to render any
bonded labour (S.4).
 Agreement, Custom, etc., to be Void (S.5).

3.  Liability to Repay Bonded Debt to Stand
Extinguished (S.6)
 Property of Bonded Labourer to be Freed from
Mortgage (S.7)
 Freed Bonded Labourer not to be Evicted from
Homestead(S. 8)
 No Creditor to Accept any Payment against
any Bonded debt which has been
Extinguished(S.9)

4.  State Govt. to confer power and impose
duties on District Magistrate, who may
specify the officer subordinate to him
conferred with the powers and duties as may
be necessary to ensure that the provisions of
the Act are properly carried out (S.10).
 D.M. and specified officer to promote the
welfare of the freed labour (S.11).
 Duty of D.M. and specified officer to enquire
if Bonded Labour System or any form of
bonded labour is being enforced by (S.12).

5.  Any person who:
1. Compels to render any bonded labour,
2. Advances any bonded debt, or
3. Enforces any custom, etc., by virtue of which, any
person, or his family member is required to render
service under the bonded labour system,
shall be punishable with imprisonment which may
extend to 3 years and a fine up to 2000 rupees.
 If a person fails to restore any property of the
bonded labourer, which he is required to do, shall
be punishable for a term extending up to 1 year or
fine up to 1000 rupees.
 Abatement to be an offence (S.20).

6.  No legal proceeding shall lie against State
Govt., any officer of the State Gov. or any
member of the Vigilance committee for
anything done in good faith (S.24).
 Jurisdiction of Civil Courts is Barred (S.25).
 Central Govt. has the power to make rules for
carrying out the provisions of this Act (S.26).
 Every rule made by the Central Govt. shall be
laid before each House of the Parliament.