(1)

The functions of each Vigilance Committee shall be,

(a) to advise the District Magistrate or any officer authorised by him as to the efforts made, and action taken, to ensure that the provisions of this Act or of any rule made thereunder are properly implemented;

(b) to provide for the economic and social rehabilitation of the freed bonded labourers;

(c) to co-ordinate the functions of rural banks and co-operative societies with a view to canalising adequate credit to the freed bonded labourer;

(d) to keep an eye on the number of offences of which cognizance has been taken under this Act;

(e) to make a survey as to whether there is any offence of which cognizance ought to be taken under this Act;

(f) to defend any suit instituted against a freed bonded labourer or a member of his family or any other person dependent on him for the recovery of the whole or part of any bonded debt or any other debt which is claimed by such person to be bonded debt.

(2)

A Vigilance Committee may authorise one of its members to defend a suit against a freed bonded labourer and the member so authorised shall be deemed, for the purpose of such suit, to be the authorised agent of the freed bonded labourer.