NewKerala.com

MP Forms SIT to Combat Bonded Labour in Gwalior, Chambal, Bhopal

The Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to tackle bonded labour in the Gwalior, Chambal, and Bhopal divisions. The team, led by divisional commissioners, includes police and social welfare officials to coordinate rescue and rehabilitation efforts. This action follows recent incidents where over 120 individuals were freed from bonded conditions in Raisen and Guna districts. The SIT will review enforcement of the Bonded Labour System Act and address systemic gaps in the state's eradication efforts.

Key Points: MP Forms SIT to Tackle Bonded Labour in Key Divisions

  • High-level SIT formed
  • Targets Gwalior, Chambal, Bhopal divisions
  • Recent rescues highlight urgency
  • Aims to strengthen 1976 Act enforcement
  • Focus on inter-state trafficking
2 min read

MP forms SIT to tackle bonded labour in Gwalior, Chambal and Bhopal divisions

Madhya Pradesh establishes a high-level SIT to address bonded labour in Gwalior, Chambal, and Bhopal divisions, focusing on rescue and rehabilitation.

"The formation of this SIT reflects the state government's renewed focus on effective identification, rescue, rehabilitation, and prevention. - State Order"

Bhopal, April 2

In a significant move to combat the persistent menace of bonded labour, the Madhya Pradesh government has constituted a high-level Special Investigation Team to deliberate on remedial measures and long-term solutions for issues related to bonded labourers in the Gwalior, Chambal, and Bhopal divisions.

According to an order issued by the General Administration Department, the Divisional Commissioner has been designated as the Chairperson of the team.

The members include the Inspector General (IG) of the respective zone, the Deputy Director of Social Justice and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, and the Joint Director of Women and Child Development (Bhopal). The Labour Commissioner of Madhya Pradesh has been appointed as the Member Secretary.

The Collectors of the concerned districts and members of the district-level committees have been directed to extend full cooperation and coordination to the Divisional SIT. Additionally, the Secretary of the Labour Department will provide necessary technical and legal guidance to the team.

Bonded labour continues to be a serious concern in several parts of Madhya Pradesh, particularly in rural and tribal-dominated areas.

Recent incidents highlight the gravity of the problem. In February 2026, authorities rescued 74 labourers, including 21 families with women and children, from a brick kiln in Raisen district after they were subjected to coercion, wage denial, and debt bondage.

In May 2025, Guna district witnessed a major crackdown where 47 mentally challenged individuals and several others were freed from decades-old bonded labour networks.

Madhya Pradesh has historically been among the states with notable cases of bonded labour, often linked to brick kilns, stone quarries, agriculture, and construction sectors.

The "Harwai" system in parts of the state forces landless labourers into lifelong farm work to repay informal loans.

Many cases also involve inter-state trafficking, with MP workers rescued from bonded conditions in Tamil Nadu and other states in recent months.

The development comes at a time when national data shows slow progress in eradication efforts. While nearly 2.97 lakh bonded labourers have been officially rescued and rehabilitated across India since 1978, critics argue that the actual numbers remain much higher due to under-reporting and weak enforcement.

The formation of this SIT reflects the state government's renewed focus on effective identification, rescue, rehabilitation, and prevention of bonded labour.

The team is expected to review existing mechanisms, address implementation gaps under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, and recommend stronger enforcement measures.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Finally some action! The stories from Raisen and Guna are heartbreaking 💔. It's 2026 and we still have fellow citizens living in conditions like this. The SIT must ensure proper rehabilitation, not just rescue. Giving them a certificate and a small sum isn't enough.
A
Aman W
Good move, but I'm skeptical. We've seen committees formed before. The problem is deep-rooted in the informal economy and lack of access to formal credit for the poor. Unless they tackle the debt trap, this will keep happening.
S
Sarah B
The inclusion of the Women and Child Development officer is crucial. So many rescued families have women and children who need special care and support. Hope this SIT works on creating a safety net for them.
K
Karthik V
The article mentions inter-state trafficking. This is a national shame. MP, UP, Bihar workers being taken to Tamil Nadu or Gujarat and trapped. We need a coordinated national effort, not just state-level SITs. The Centre should step in more forcefully.
N
Nisha Z
Respectfully, while the SIT is a positive step, the focus seems reactive. We need to prevent people from falling into bonded labour in the first place. Strengthen MGNREGA, ensure timely wages, and promote financial literacy in tribal areas. Prevention is better than cure.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50