Ranchi, Sept. 9: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Justice D. Murugesan today admitted Jharkhand officials did not have enough knowledge of law, which in turn, complicated matters related to bonded and child labour and trafficking.
But, Justice Murugesan, speaking on the sidelines of an NHRC workshop on these issues at Judicial Academy, Dhurwa, on the third and last day of its visit in Ranchi, also told the media the rights panel would soon hold a national seminar to remedy this.
"During the last two days, we mainly heard complaints (related to human rights violations). Today, we got the opportunity interact with officials. The response was good. Still, we have long way to go," he told the media.
But, to a specific question from a scribe on whether Jharkhand DCs, SPs, SDMs and labour officers had a proper knowledge of law, Justice Murugan said: "As per our standards, they don't."
Over 300 people attended the NHRC meet on bonded and child labour and trafficking, the audience comprising bureaucrats, representatives of NGOs and trade bodies, research scholars and students.
A representative of a brick kiln owners' association claimed there was no bonded labour at Jharkhand brick kilns but the problem was acute in eastern Uttar Pradesh. He alleged brokers from Chhattisgarh were actively engaged in bonded labour supply.
Justice Murugesan refused to entertain the complaint, saying officials of other states mentioned were not present to give their side of the story. He instead stressed officials present at the workshop spread awareness in their domains about what they learnt here.
NHRC special rapporteur S. Jalja said bonded labour was as acute today in Palamau as it was when she was the DC there from 1987 to 1989.
Jalja, who retired in 2010 as AYUSH secretary in the Centre, said she felt the bureaucracy had limitations. Jharkhand's poverty can be reduced with babu intervention, but "bonded and child labourers still stand in the last row", she said. "After having served the IAS for over 36 years, I don't hesitate saying bureaucrats will never be able to reach out to those people on their own. Greater convergence of government agencies and NGOs need special attention."
