{i} release of bonded labourers [1 Attachment]

<*>[Attachment(s) from kiran kamal included below]

Dear Friends,

This year's Independence Day had a special significance for JEEVIKA and the
Karnataka Jeetadalu mattu Krashikarmikara Okkuta (The Union of Bonded
Labourers and Agricultural Workers in Karnataka).  403 bonded labourers
were given release certificates on 14 August, the eve of the Independence
Day and 930 bonded labourers in Madhugiri taluk received their release
certificates on 15 August, the Independence.  The release of 930 bonded
labourers was long darwn out struggle which culminated in the Karnataka
High Court directing the Government to reconsider their earlier stand of
refusing to owrk out rehabilitation grants inspite of agreeing to the fact
that the persons were bonded labourers when they submitted applications for
their release and rehabilitation.  As the Jeevika activists and the Union
members are overjoyed wtih this success, we want to thank all our well
wishers and supporters who have helped us in our strugggle.  The struggle
still continues as we have to see that the administration does not dealy in
working out meaningful rehabilitation to all the freed bonded labourers
according to the gudielines chalked out in the Karnataka Government Action
Plan on Bonded Labour.

Thank you.

kiran kamal prasad,
Coordinator,
JEEVIKA,
1289, ISEC Road,
Nagrabhavi Post,
Bangalore 560072.