(a) whether there are reports that tribal young girls of Jharkhand are being taken to other States for domestic works and they are being sold by gangs;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of such cases reported, guilty arrested and the action taken against them during each of the last three years and the current year, State-wise; and
(c) the steps taken/proposed to be taken to safeguard the girls working as domestic helps from exploitation?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a) & (b): As informed by the State Government of Jharkhand, reports regarding tribal girls being taken from Jharkhand to other places for domestic work, when received from different sources, are promptly acted upon by the Anti Human Trafficking Unit (AHTU) functioning under supervision and direction of Criminal Investigation Department, Jharkhand, Ranchi. The AHTUs are dedicated Units in the districts, for investigation of cases, arresting of accused and rehabilitation of the victim with the help of CWC and district administration.
As per the information provided by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), specific information, on tribal young girls of Jharkhand being taken to other States for domestic works and being sold by gangs, is not available. However, 412 victims (including girls) of Human Trafficking for domestic servitude and 10509 victims (including girls) trafficked for forced labour in the country were
-2-
LS.US.Q.No2901 FOR 13.03.2018
rescued during 2016, which included 18 victims trafficked for domestic servitude and 20 victims trafficked for forced labour from the State of Jharkhand during 2016. Details of State/UT-wise victims of Human Trafficking rescued for the purpose of forced labour and domestic servitude during 2016 are given in Annexure-I. Details of State/UT-wise persons arrested, persons charge-sheeted, persons convicted for human trafficking during 2016 are given in Annexure-II.
(c): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibilities to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens rest primarily with the respective State Governments. The State Governments are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws. In this regard, Government of Jharkhand have informed that AHTUs are established in affected districts of Jharkhand apart from Child Protection Homes, Special Juvenile Police Units, Child Welfare Committees and Women and Child Helpline to deal with the problem in the State.
The Central Government has been supplementing the efforts of the States and UTs by providing them regular guidance through various advisories issued from time to time. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also provided financial assistance to all States for setting up Anti Human Trafficking Units in various districts of States. Ministry of Home Affairs has also issued Advisories for combating crimes against SCs/STs, women and children. These Advisories are available on www.mha.gov.in.
********