Mukta Kamaiya Samaj, an organisation representing freed Tharu bonded labourers, has demanded an increase in the grant provided to a homeless former Kamaiya family to purchase land to Rs500,000 from the existing Rs200,000.

In a meeting with Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal on Friday, Samaj’s Chairperson Pashupati Chaudhary handed over a 12-point demand that includes proper rehabilitation of the freed Kamaiyas who are yet to be rehabilitated 17 years after their emancipation.

In July 2000, the government decided to ban the practice of bonded labour system prevalent in the Tarai districts of Dang, Banke, Bardiya, Kailali and Kanchanpur by announcing a special package for their rehabilitation. Each bonded Kamaiya labourer was initially provided with Rs150,000 to buy land for rehabilitation. The amount was later increased to Rs200,000 by the late PM Sushil Koirala.

“The existing amount is not adequate for the freed Kamaiyas to buy land,” said Chaudhary, adding that the PM had promised to address their demands. The Samaj has also demanded identification of the Kamaiyas who are yet to get the ID cards, which is necessary for accessing the grant for house construction, free health care, and social security allowances.

Around 30,000 Kamaiyas were freed from the five districts while 3,500 are still awaiting rehabilitation.