Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018

TNPSC Current Affairs - March 2018 by TNPSC Guru

Union Cabinet has given its nod for introduction of Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 in Parliament.

This bill will address one of the most pervasive yet invisible crimes affecting vulnerable persons particularly children and women.

Important features about the Bill: 

• The bill will address the issue of trafficking from the point of view of prevention, rescue and rehabilitation.
• Aggravated forms of trafficking, which includes trafficking for the purpose of forced labour, begging, trafficking by administering chemical substance or hormones on a person for 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.
• Immediate protection of rescued victims and their rehabilitation. The Victims are entitled to interim relief immediately within 30 days to address their physical, mental trauma etc. and further appropriate relief within 60 days from the date of filing of charge sheet.
• Designated courts in each district for the speedy trial of the cases.
• The Bill 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.
• Punishment ranges from rigorous minimum 10 years to life and fine not less than Rs. 1 lakh.

                                                                   Source - Press Information Bureau ,Government of India