Bonded labourers from Odisha rescued

A total of 333 bonded labourers, including 75 children - all natives of Odisha, were today rescued from a brick kiln in this district where they have been working for a weekly wage of Rs 75 to Rs 100 per person, District Collector K Veera Raghava Rao said.
After obtaining an initial loan ranging between Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000, they have been working in the brick kiln since December last year.
A total of 258 persons among the rescued were issued release certificates by the officials which would entitle them to avail benefits from various government welfare schemes. The remaining 75 are children.

Sub-Collector Rahul Nath led the investigation, raid and the eventual rescue, he said.