Fifty-four labourers rescued by the Madhya Pradesh officials, have complained about apathy towards their resettlement.
Gwalior, May 8 : Fifty-four labourers rescued by the Madhya Pradesh officials, have complained about apathy towards their resettlement.
State officials rescued these labourers from a politician's farm in Madhya Pradesh's Guna District.
The labourers alleged that officials had left them in the lurch.
"We were working as bonded labourers. We were freed by the administrative officials. We were brought till Guna, where we went to see the District Collector. But, he did not pay any heed to our problems. We sold wood for sustenance and to feed our children. Then, we moved to Gwalior. There also we have tried many times to meet the Collector, but even he has not paid any heed to our plight," said Kamala, a rescued labourer.
District officials, however, said, their resettlement was caught up in administrative processes, but claimed to have done everything possible for their welfare.
"These people cannot be labeled as bonded labourers till they get a certificate from the Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM) certifying it. Efforts were made to provide employment to them at some other place. They cannot be called bonded labourers. Apart from all this, the administration provides them with aid and help from time to time," claimed Rakesh Shrivastava, the District Collector of Gwalior.
Meanwhile, a self-help group has filed a petition in the High Court demanding rehabilitation and economic aid for the labourers.
ANI