New Delhi, Oct. 19 -- The Union labour ministry has asked states to frame individual policies to utilise a federal scheme to rehabilitate forced workers and prevent trafficking, according to a letter sent to local authorities on September 25, seen by HT.

Under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, state governments bear the responsibility of identifying, releasing and rehabilitating people compelled to work as modern-day slaves. The Constitution outlaws forced labour.

Research has shown that people from Scheduled Castes (SCs), who are said to belong to the lowest level in the country's social hierarchy, are most often forced to work without wages and in harsh conditions.

India is estimated to have at least 11 million people i...