Govt plans to replace 1956 Act with omnibus law on trafficking, slavery

NEW DELHI: The government plans to bring an omnibus legislation to counter trafficking and address slavery, sexual exploitation and forced labour the law in place of the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act 1956 and a host of other similar laws, that deal with trafficking, according to a senior official in the ministry of women and child development (WCD).
An omnibus legislation to counter trafficking and address slavery, sexual exploitation and forced labour is on the anvil.
Sources said that an inter-ministerial committee under the cabinet secretary will pilot the draft bill. “During discussions It was felt that ITPA and protection of children against sexual offences is confined to defining sexual exploitation only.
This does not appear to be sufficient as there are other forms of exploitation that are covered under different legislations administered by ministries like home affairs, labour, health. It was felt that a comprehensive legislation should be brought that tackles all forms of trafficking,” whether for slavery, sexual exploitation, beggary or forced labour,’’ the a senior ministry official said. The government also plans to establish a task force under the WCD ministry with representatives from other ministries that will meet every month to deal with different aspects of trafficking and effective monitoring.
The move comes after the Supreme Court directed the Centre to take effective steps to curb the menace of trafficking in the country and asked the cabinet secretary to ensure that the proposed agency to handle such crimes be made operational by Novermber 19 when the court will take stock of the government’s action. taken by government. The agency called the Organised Crime Investigation Agency (OCIA) is expected to have the powers to investigate tackle investigation apart from rescue and rehabilitation of children.
A report by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) said has pointed out that human trafficking in human beings had has emerged as one of the largest organized crimes in the world which may be for sexual exploitation, slavery, including forced labour, and organ trade. A recent UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report on human trafficking in South Asia has described trafficking as one of the fastest growing transnational organized crimes.
Over 1,50,000 people are trafficked within South Asia every year, for which for sex work, labour, forced marriages, organ trade and often economic conditions are to blame. contribute to the vulnerabilities of young people, women and children.
Countries in South Asia serve as prominent origin, transit and destination countries for women, children and men being trafficked. India acts both as a source and destination of human trafficking with women and children being coerced from Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to land up in the Gulf countries and Europe.