Crackdown on trafficking
The government had listed the Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2018, aimed at protecting trafficked persons, especially young girls and women, for introduction in the Lok Sabha in the just-concluded budget session. But continued disruptions, which virtually wiped out the second part of the session, prevented the Bill from being introduced.
Here is all you need to know about the proposed law: pushes a lot of young women, especially from the interior parts of West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand, into prostitution.
Despite the enormity of the problem, India lacks a single comprehensive law for human trafficking. At present, trafficking is covered under half-adozen laws resulting in confusion and poor enforcement. BHUBANESWAR: Odisha’s ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Wednesday accused the Centre of delaying the formation of Mahanadi river water disputes tribunal, alleging it was being done with an eye on Chhattisgarh polls this year.
BJD legislators turned the heat on the Bjp-led central government in the assembly, where the budget session resumed after an 11-day break, and said it was conspiring against Odisha.
House proceedings were adjourned following din over the tribunal and BJD legislators trooped out for a demonstration on the assembly premises.
“The terms of reference (for forming the tribunal) have not been communicated to the chief secretary. Why is the Centre dillydallying on the tribunal? We will continue our fight to safeguard Odisha’s interests,” said BJD chief whip Amar Prasad Satpathy.
Last month, the Centre announced a three-member tribunal headed by Supreme Court judge Justice AM Khanwilkar would be formed to adjudicate the equitable sharing of Mahanadi water between Odisha and Chhattisgarh. In January, dismissing the Centre’s arguments, the SC had asked it to form the tribunal.
The river, which runs 851 km before draining into Bay of Bengal, fuels lower riparian Odisha’s economy and agriculture. The river courses through at least 20 of Odisha’s 30 districts.
BJD MLA Samir Das said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was in power at the Centre and in upper riparian Chhattisgarh, and it was evident why Odisha’s interests were being ignored. “The Centre is trying very hard to help Chhattisgarh in the Mahanadi case. Why are the terms of reference taking so much time?”
BJD leaders are gearing up to discuss the issue with Union minister of state for water resources, Arjun Ram Meghwal, at a meeting on inter-state river disputes on April 16. Meghwal may meet representatives of five states, including Odisha and Chhattisgarh. The BJD has also convened a meeting of representatives of the districts affected by drying up of Mahanadi after Chhattisgarh closed gates of Kalma barrage.