THE BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM (ABOLITION) ACT, 1976

ACT NO. 19 OF 1976 · Enacted [9th February, 1976.] · 27 sections

PRELIMINARY

Section 1.Short title, extent and commencement.

Section 2.Definitions.

Section 3.Act to have overriding effect.

ABOLITION OF BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM

Section 4.Abolition of bonded labour system.

Section 5.Agreement, custom, etc., to be void.

EXTINGUISHMENT OF LIABILITY TO REPAY BONDED DEBT

Section 6.Liability to repay bonded debt to stand extinguished.

Section 7.Property of bonded labourer to be freed from mortgage, etc.

Section 8.Freed bonded labourer not to be evicted from homestead, etc.

Section 9.Creditor not to accept payment against extinguished debt.

IMPLEMENTING AUTHORITIES

Section 10.Authorities who may be specified for implementing the provisions of this Act.

Section 11.Duty of District Magistrate and other officers to ensure credit.

Section 12.Duty of District Magistrate and officers authorised by him.

VIGILANCE COMMITTEES

Section 13.Vigilance Committees.

Section 14.Functions of Vigilance Committees.

Section 15.Burden of proof.

OFFENCES AND PROCEDURE FOR TRIAL

Section 16.Punishment for enforcement of bonded labour.

Section 17.Punishment for advancement of bonded debt.

Section 18.Punishment for extracting bonded labour under the bonded labour system.

Section 19.Punishment for omission or failure to restore possession of property to bonded labourers.

Section 20.Abetment to be an offence.

Section 21.Offences to be tried by Executive Magistrates.

Section 22.Cognizance of offences.

Section 23.Offences by companies.

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 24.Protection of action taken in good faith.

Section 25.Jurisdiction of civil courts barred.

Section 26.Power to make rules.

Section 27.Repeal and saving.