Hope Rajya Sabha passes anti-trafficking bill: Maneka Gandhi
What's the story
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today expressed hope that the proposed anti-trafficking bill would be passed by the Rajya Sabha in the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament. The bill provides for the confidentiality of victims, witnesses, and complainants, time-bound trials and repatriation of the victims. "Lok Sabha has already passed the bill, I'm hoping that Rajya Sabha will pass it," said Gandhi.
Scope
Bill has compassionate view of sex racket victims: Gandhi
The Lok Sabha had passed The Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection, and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018 during the Monsoon Session in July. Gandhi said the legislation didn't intend to harass sex workers and it was intended to go after human traffickers and not the victims. "This is a bill that has a compassionate view of people who have been victims of sex rackets," she said.
Proposals
Bill covers aggravated forms of trafficking such as forced labor
The legislation proposes to create institutional mechanisms at the district, state, and central levels. It calls for punishment ranging from 10 years of rigorous imprisonment and a fine not less than Rs. 1 lakh. Besides prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation, it covers aggravated forms of trafficking such as forced labor, begging and marriage. It also provides Rehabilitation fund with initial allocation of Rs. 10 crores.
About
Maneka's book on children's fears to release this January
At the event organized at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts today, the Union minister also interacted with school children about her upcoming book - 'There's a Monster Under My Bed! and Other Terrible Terrors' which is expected to release in January. The book, inspired by her granddaughter, talks about children's fears and how to deal with them.
Information
Parents should identify things their children are scared of: Maneka
Talking about her book, Gandhi said, "Children are scared of many things and we need to deal with those fears..." She said parents should identify the things their children are scared of as it would enable them to deal with them.