Question : Trafficking of Persons

(a) whether the problem of human trafficking has become a cause for serious concern in the country particularly in North-Eastern States sharing international borders with countries and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government implements any scheme for rehabilitation of victims of human trafficking including women and children, if so, the details and salient features thereof;

(c) the funds allocated/released and utilised under the scheme along with the number of women and children rescued and rehabilitated thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise ;

(d) whether currently there is no single law dealing with human trafficking and the crime is covered under different acts;

(e) if so, whether the Government proposes to bring any legislation on trafficking of persons and creation of Anti-Trafficking Fund and if so, the details and salient features thereof; and

(f) the present status of said proposal along with the time by which the legislation is likely to be enacted and Anti-Trafficking fund to be created?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

(a) to (c) Yes, Madam. The Ministry of Women & Child Development has launched a scheme Ujjawala on 4th December, 2007. The scheme has specific components for Prevention of trafficking and for rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration and repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. The scheme is being implemented in the country including North Eastern States. The revised Ujjawala scheme with enhanced budgetary norms is under implementation with effect from 01.04.2016. The details of total funds allocated during the last 3 years and current year, in various States/UTs under the Ujjawala scheme is at Annexure-I and the number of beneficiary in the country State/UTs is at Annexure-II.

(d) to (f) Yes Madam. As per the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court in W.P. No. 56/2004 (Prajwala Vs. Union of India & Ors.), an Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) constituted for the purpose, has prepared a Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2017 for various aspects of trafficking. The Bill defines some new forms of trafficking as aggravated or otherwise, identified on the basis of gaps in existing legislations and prescribes stringent punishment. The Bill proposes establishment of well-coordinated institutional mechanism from District to National level for prevention and investigation of offences as well as for rescue, protection and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking. It also proposes creation of rehabilitation fund for welfare and rehabilitation of victims of trafficking. The proposal at present is under consideration.

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