Lok Sabha Question No. 347 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-07-19
Subject: Trafficking of Tribal Women
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: K. GOPAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.347

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 19 TH  JULY, 2016/ASHADHA 28, 1938 (SAKA)

TRAFFICKING OF TRIBAL WOMEN

347. DR. K. GOPAL:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether it is true that the prevalence of trafficking of tribal women to big cities to engage them illegally as maid servants, bonded labourers or into sex trade have increased during the last two years;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (c) whether many non-governmental organizations have brought out the increasing prevalence of such trends across India before the Government;
- (d) if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether the Government has no record of such cases of trafficking; and
- (f)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  corrective  steps  taken  by  the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)

- (a) & (b): Instances of cases of trafficking are noticed through media now  and  then  even  after  its  abolition  by  law.  Government  of  India  is sensitized to preventing such  incidents through  strengthening the implementation mechanism of law enforcement responses.
- (c)  &  (d)  The  Government  of  India  does  not  rely  on  unsubstantiated research studies or indices prepared by private organizations.

## LS.US.Q.NO.347 FOR 19.07.2016

(e) to (f): Data  of  such  cases  of  human  trafficking  is  not  maintained specifically. However, the data of human trafficking is maintained under Section 370 & 370 A IPC, procuration of minor girls (Section 366A IPC), importation  of  girls  from  foreign  country  (Section  366B  IPC),  selling  of minors for prostitution (Section 372 IPC), buying of minors for prostitution (Section 373 IPC) and the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act.

'Public Order' and 'Police' as per the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India are State subjects and as such detection, registration,  investigation  and  prevention  of  crime  is  primarily  the responsibility of the State Governments. However, Government of India has taken various steps to combat human trafficking and has adopted a multi-pronged approach alongwith concerned Ministries and stakeholders, as detailed below:-

- (i) Enactment  of  Criminal  Law  (Amendment)  Act,  2013,  wherein Section 370 of the Indian Penal Code has been substituted with Section 370  and  370A  of  IPC  which  provide  for  comprehensive  measures  to counter the menace of Human Trafficking.
- (ii) Establishment  of  Anti  Human  Trafficking  Units(AHTUs)  in  259 districts of the country.

## LS.US.Q.NO.347 FOR 19.07.2016

- (iii) Issued following advisories on Human Trafficking to all States/UTs:
-  Advisory for preventing crime of human trafficking  dated 9.9.2009.
-  Advisory on missing children - measures needed to prevent trafficking and trace the children - dated 31.1.2012
-  Advisory on Human Trafficking as Organised Crime dated 30.4. 2012.
-  Advisory  on  Preventing  and  combating  human  trafficking  in  Indiadealing with foreign nationals dated 1.5. 2012
-  Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) to handle trafficking of children for child labour dated 12.8.2013

These advisories are available at www.mha.gov.in.

- (iv) Organization  of  periodic  meetings  with  Nodal  Officers  of  AHTUs and concerned Ministries to review the efforts taken to combat Human Trafficking.

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