Lok Sabha Question No. 69 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-02-02
Subject: Increase in Human Trafficking
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: Amar Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 69

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 ND  FEBRUARY, 2021/ MAGHA 13, 1942 (SAKA) INCREASE IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING

69. DR. AMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that the threat of human trafficking in the  wake  of  the  ongoing  pandemic  will  be  exponentially  high  due  to  poor economic conditions;

(b) if so, the details of the Government's plans to prevent human trafficking of economically backward individuals, if any; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (c): 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India.  Prevention and combating the crime of  human  trafficking  is  the  responsibility  of  State  Governments  who  are competent  to  take  appropriate  action  as  per  extant  provisions  of  law. However, taking cognizance of the risks of human trafficking during COVID19 pandemic, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued a comprehensive advisory on  6.7.2020  to  all  States  and  UTs  for  countering  and  combating  human trafficking.    In  this  context,  some  of  the  measures  they  were  advised  to undertake are as follows:

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 69 FOR 02.02.2021

- (i) Anti  Human  Trafficking  Units  (AHTUs)  be  set  up  and  upgraded  in  all districts of the country on urgent basis, for which around Rs. 100 crore was released to all States and UTs.
- (ii) Coordination mechanism amongst various Departments of States and UTs  be  evolved  to  handle  issues  of  human  trafficking  and  this  should  be monitored/reviewed at the highest level in all States and UTs.
- (iii) Special awareness generation campaigns be organized by the District Administration  at  all  levels  to  protect  vulnerable  sections  of  society, especially those who are vulnerable to fall prey in the hands of unscrupulous persons who may dupe them with promises of better life and wages.
- (iv) Law enforcement agencies may engage with representatives of local Panchayats, community leaders, village watch and ward, Municipal Committees, Resident Welfare Association etc. in identification, tracing and recovery of trafficked persons.
- (v) Specific 'intelligence' and  'surveillance' mechanism to identify gangs and  their  modus operandi  to exploit  people  and link with such matters be

## L.S.US.Q.NO. 69 FOR 02.02.2021

looked into by the Police Department and a close watch on known criminals and traffickers be kept by local police.

(vi) Preventive steps such as identification of children in distress, watching out for suspicious persons, keeping special vigil at transit points, viz. Railway Stations, Bus Depots, Airports, Seaports, Border areas etc. and identify vulnerable population and susceptible pockets in the State and UTs be undertaken by the Police officers.

(vii) States and UTs should ensure that shelters for destitute women and children  in  need  should  remain  open  and  additional  facilities  be  made available for women and girls and virtual/ telephone counseling services be provided to them.

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