Government today released the Draft Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2016. The new bill aims at checking human trafficking by unifying several existing laws, meting out tougher punishment for repeat offenders and ensuring the protection and rehabilitation of victims. <br/><br/>Besides creating a comprehensive law against trafficking, the draft bill calls for the creation of a special court and investigation agency to tackle such cases and joint working groups with neighboring countries to undertake preventive measures. It also aimed at creating a strong economic and social environment against trafficking of persons and related matters. <br/><br/>Releasing the draft bill in New Delhi, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said the bill is victim oriented and makes clear the distinction between the trafficker and the trafficked. She said the draft Bill plugs loopholes in existing laws and brings within its fold additional crimes pertaining to trafficking. She said it also envisages creation of a fund for rehabilitation of victims of trafficking. <br/><br/>On the occasion, Maneka Gandhi also highlighted the major initiatives taken up by the Government to deal with the problem of trafficking and that of missing children including the new Khoya-Paya web portal, unique initiative with Railways, pasting of posters in railway coaches, expansion of Children helpline-Childline 1098 among others.

Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today released the Draft Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2016 in New Delhi.<br/><br/>The new bill aims to check human trafficking by unifying several existing laws, meting out tougher punishment for repeat offenders and ensuring the protection and rehabilitation of victims.<br/><br/>Besides creating a comprehensive law against trafficking, the draft bill calls for the creation of a special court and investigation agency to tackle such cases and joint working groups with neighboring countries to undertake preventive measures.