The BONDED LABOUR SYSTEM (ABOLITION) ACT, 1976

PRELIMINARY

Section 1 — Short title, extent and commencement.

(1) This Act may be called the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

(2) It extends to the whole of India.

(3) It shall be deemed to have come into force on the 25th day of October, 1975.

Browse all 27 sections
  1. 1.Short title, extent and commencement.
  2. 2.Definitions.
  3. 3.Act to have overriding effect.
  4. 4.Abolition of bonded labour system.
  5. 5.Agreement, custom, etc., to be void.
  6. 6.Liability to repay bonded debt to stand extinguished.
  7. 7.Property of bonded labourer to be freed from mortgage, etc.
  8. 8.Freed bonded labourer not to be evicted from homestead, etc.
  9. 9.Creditor not to accept payment against extinguished debt.
  10. 10.Authorities who may be specified for implementing the provisions of this Act.
  11. 11.Duty of District Magistrate and other officers to ensure credit.
  12. 12.Duty of District Magistrate and officers authorised by him.
  13. 13.Vigilance Committees.
  14. 14.Functions of Vigilance Committees.
  15. 15.Burden of proof.
  16. 16.Punishment for enforcement of bonded labour.
  17. 17.Punishment for advancement of bonded debt.
  18. 18.Punishment for extracting bonded labour under the bonded labour system.
  19. 19.Punishment for omission or failure to restore possession of property to bonded labourers.
  20. 20.Abetment to be an offence.
  21. 21.Offences to be tried by Executive Magistrates.
  22. 22.Cognizance of offences.
  23. 23.Offences by companies.
  24. 24.Protection of action taken in good faith.
  25. 25.Jurisdiction of civil courts barred.
  26. 26.Power to make rules.
  27. 27.Repeal and saving.