Mandya: The zilla panchayat launched a programme to bring 86 identified former bonded labourers into the mainstream by providing them with 13 essential govt identity documents, announced district minister N Cheluvarayaswamy.Speaking at the inauguration of an identity card distribution and health check-up programme for families of former bonded labourers in Maddur taluk, he emphasised the govt’s commitment to eradicating bonded labour, which is illegal yet persists due to poverty and lack of awareness. Despite the illegality of bonded labour, some individuals continue to fall victim to it, due to economic hardship. The minister highlighted that among the 86 identified individuals—82 men and 4 women—the lack of govt documents was a barrier to accessing benefits.“To address this, the district administration is providing these individuals with critical documents, including Aadhaar cards, so that they can avail benefits of the govt schemes and lead dignified, self-reliant lives. Health check-ups are also being conducted as part of the initiative,” he said.Maddur MLA KM Uday detailed the documents being provided, which include Aadhaar cards, caste and income certificates, ration cards, voter IDs, personal bank savings accounts, pensions under various schemes, Ayushman Bharat health cards, health insurance (PMJJBY, PMSBY), e-shram cards, UDID cards, Bhagyalakshmi scheme benefits, and MGNREGA job cards. These documents aim to empower former bonded labourers to live independently.ZP CEO KR Nandini stated that under the ‘Sanjivini’ campaign, eligible women from these families are being integrated into self-help groups under the NRLM scheme to access benefits and achieve self-reliance. Additionally, the RSETI programme is providing vocational training to eligible youth from these families to enhance their employability.“Under the ‘e-swattu’ and ‘my identity’ campaigns, the district achieved a milestone by providing over 49 e-property documents, 172 e-shram cards, more than 180 self-help group registrations, 10 caste and income certificates, and over 180 PMJJBY/PMSBY and UDID cards, along with MGNREGA benefits, to support the self-respect and livelihoods of former bonded labourers and their families. Additionally, the Bharatinagar GP is distributing free solar lights and sewing machines to these families to further aid their rehabilitation,” she explained.
