The district administration will take up intensive screening operations in certain establishments in Kancheepuram district in which bonded labour is alleged to exist, according to Collector Santosh K.Misra.
Disclosing this to reporters after participating in the district-level vigilance and monitoring committee meeting, chaired by former Union Minister and Sriperumpudur MP T.R. Baalu here on Monday, the Collector said surprise raids would be conducted in rice mills, brick kilns and granite quarries to find out whether the workers at these establishments were engaged as bonded labourers.
The decision to conduct surprise checks was taken up after the concern expressed by the DVMC chairman at Monday's meeting, in which Mr.Baalu said that the reports about rescue of bonded labourers in Kancheepuram district were in sharp contrast to the overall progress of the district.
Meanwhile, the Kancheepuram Rice Mill Owners Association has alleged that irreparable damage was being inflicted on their industry by certain non-governmental organisations. They alleged that the NGOs coaxed the labourers into admitting that they were bonded labourers with promises of money from the government, when in reality basic facilities were given.
