34 bonded labourers, including nine children, rescued from brick kiln in Karnataka’s Bagalkot
Bagalkot: Authorities in Karnataka’s Bagalkot district rescued 34 bonded labourers, including nine children, who had been trafficked from Odisha and allegedly held captive at a brick kiln.
According to a report published by Deccan Herald, the rescue followed a complaint received by the district administration. The complainant informed the authorities that several individuals were confined at a brick kiln in Sankalapur village of Ilakal taluk which is around 50 km from the district headquarters. The total number of bonded labourers rescued in the district over the past three months has risen to 99, according to officials.
Bagalkot Deputy Commissioner Sangappa M said action was taken immediately after the complaint was received. “Given the number of cases coming to light, we will review the feasibility of conducting special drives to eliminate bonded labour in the district,” he said.
District Labour Officer Ramesh S Sumbad told DH that a first information report had been registered against the owner of the brick kiln. Adding that all rescued labourers had undergone medical examinations and were declared fit to travel, he said “They are scheduled to return to Odisha by train tonight."
The rescue was facilitated following a complaint by Spandana Association, an NGO working on labour rights. According to the organisation, the 34 rescued persons belonged to nine families who were allegedly lured with advances ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per family by a trafficker.
Sushila, director of the NGO, told DH that the families were initially told they would be employed in Vijayawada and were taken there by bus. “They were later transported by train to Bagalkot. It was only about two weeks after starting work that they realised they were in Karnataka, after speaking to local labourers,” she said.
The families were reportedly paid ₹800 per week for work at the kiln. Once every week only one member of each family was allowed to visit the market. While the workers allegedly suffered physical and verbal abuse, they were also threatened when they questioned their working conditions, she claimed.
According to the NGO, the laborers were housed in makeshift brick shelters with no access to drinking water or sanitation facilities, and they were constantly monitored, even when they went outside to urinate themselves.
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Min. Priyank Kharge to expresses concern over implementation of VB-G Ram G
Bengaluru: Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Priyank Kharge has expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the proposed VB-G Ram G scheme, stating that the MNREGA programme, which has been a lifeline for rural India for nearly two decades, appears to be facing an uncertain future.
Speaking to media, Kharge said that as March 31 draws to a close, there is no clarity on the rollout of the new scheme from April 1. He pointed out that the central government has not yet issued the necessary guidelines for implementing the scheme for rural workers and villages.
He criticised the Centre for its lack of preparedness, stating that there is no clarity on fund allocation, no final parameters for classifying gram panchayats, and key processes such as social audits have not been defined.
Kharge said the situation comes at a critical time, as summer marks a peak period for rural employment demand, when many people depend heavily on wage employment for their livelihood.
He added that reports have emerged of delays in approvals and families not receiving work despite demand.
He further alleged that the Centre’s move to shift from a statutory employment guarantee to a rule-based allocation system is already showing negative consequences.
Kharge also raised concerns over provisions such as a mandatory 60-day halt during agricultural seasons, which he said would further limit employment opportunities for rural workers.
The BJP-led central government had claimed that the new scheme would transform rural India, but in reality it is turning out to be detrimental to people’s livelihoods, he said.
“The crisis in rural India due to the stalling of MNREGA is beginning to unfold. Given the Centre’s past record in handling such situations, there is growing concern over the impact on rural livelihoods,” Kharge said.
