Centre wants time-bound help for victims of trafficking
To ensure victims of trafficking get compensated in a time-bound manner, the Union government has asked states to bring such cases under the service delivery Act.
To ensure victims of trafficking get compensated in a time-bound manner, the Union government has asked states to bring such cases under the service delivery Act.
The ministry of women and child development in a recently held meeting of the central advisory committee (CAC) to combat trafficking, has also asked states to explore the option of video conferencing for victims. The suggestion aims to avoid taking victims to other states for every hearing.
“Some states have Right to Service Delivery Acts. They may enlist the item of services to trafficked victims in the schedule of such acts. Video conferencing facility should be provided for conducting trials, to obviate problems in transporting victims of trafficking,” read the minutes of the meeting which saw the presence of various states, including Delhi.
With respect to Delhi, the union ministry has said that there is a need for enhanced coordination between Delhi Police and Delhi government so that the meetings of the advisory committee can be held very frequently. “The state government will be holding meetings with the state governments of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar from where most of the women and children are trafficked to Delhi,” said an official.
The ministry of health and family welfare will also write to states about dearth of psychiatrists and counsellors.
“In most states there is no action plan for victims. Minimum standards of care and protection must be ensured in shelter homes. Though National Plan of Action was prepared in 1998, no attempt has been made to implement it. The SOPs made by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and other departments have no legal standing and there is a need to notify them in the official gazette by the state governments,” said Ravi Kant, president of Shakti Vahini NGO, who was also present in the meeting.
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