Cabinet approves Trafficking of Persons Bill to improve rehabilitation of victims

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday approved the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018  that provides for a rehabilitation fund for the victims and designated courts in every district for quick, time-bound trial.

It will be introduced in the Parliament session slated from next week.

The bill addresses the issue of trafficking from the point of view of prevention, rescue and rehabilitation. It also advocates for a time-bound trial and repatriation of the victims - within a period of one year from taking into cognisance.

Not just this, rehabilitation fund which has been created for the first time, will be used for the physical, psychological and social well-being of the victim including education, skill development, health care/psychological support, legal aid, safe accommodation, etc.

With this law, the government said it aims to “make India a leader among South Asian countries to combat trafficking” by addressing the problem “from the point of view of prevention, rescue and rehabilitation”.

The Bill also creates dedicated institutional mechanisms at District, State and Central Level. These will be responsible for prevention, protection, investigation and rehabilitation work related to trafficking. National Investigation Agency (NIA) will perform the tasks of Anti-Trafficking Bureau at the national level present under the MHA.

Apart from these, there are many other key features of the bill like punishment ranging  from rigorous minimum 10 years to life and fine not less than Rs. 1 lakh. Also, in order to break the organised nexus, both at the national and international level, the Bill provides for the attachment & forfeiture of property and also theproceeds for crime.

 “A National Anti-Trafficking Bureau will perform the functions of international coordination with authorities in foreign countries and international organisations,” the bill says.

The bill will tackle aggravated forms of trafficking, which includes trafficking for the purpose of forced labour, begging, trafficking by administering chemical substance or hormones on a personfor the purpose of early sexual maturity, trafficking of a woman or child for the purpose of marriage or under the pretext of marriage or after marriage etc.

Trafficking in human beings is the third largest organized crime violating basic human rights. There is no specific law so far to deal with this crime, said a Government official.