Bhubaneswar: June 29: Today, Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) with the support of the UNICEF organised a meeting of stake holders to discuss on the draft ‘Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill 2016’ .
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has formulated a draft bill on ‘Trafficking of Persons (Prevention, Protection and Rehabilitation) Bill, 2016’ for further consultation with all stakeholders. It aims to create a strong legal, social and economic environment against trafficking of persons and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
Smt. Santoshi Sahoo, Secretary of OSCPCR, highlighted facts about OSCPCR, its establishment and its aim with its salient features. She said, “The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights is functioning since 2010 under the Commission for Protection of Child Rights Act 2005. The commission’s mandate is to ensure that laws, policies, programmes and administrative mechanisms are in consonance with the child rights perspective as envisaged in the constitution of India and the UN convention of the right of the child.”
Additionally she said, “Our vision is to protect, promote and defend child rights in the State as acceded in the Constitution of India whereas our mission is to ensure that the rights of all children irrespective of their gender, religion, caste etc are protected.”
Further on, the Chairperson of OSCPCR, Smt. Kasturi Mohapatra threw light upon the introduction and expectations from the State Level Consultation saying, “That over 10 lakh and above kids vacate from their homes (ghar chodkar chale jaate hai) and for their protection especially this bill is aimed. Along with Group discussions will be made upon the fact of clearly understanding the meaning of Trafficking with respect to Child Rights which must be included in this bill.” An overview of Draft Bill on Anti-Trafficking, 2016 was presented by Resource Person, Ms. Amrita Patel, the State Coordinator of State Resource Centre for Women. Alongside, Ms. Mamata Rani Panda, Inspector of Police, CID- Crime Branch, I.A.H.T.U has also analysed the role of I.A.H.T.U Odisha in such similar situations.
The event ended with Ms. Sashiprava Bindhani, State Information Commissioner addressing as the Guest of Honor, saying three keynotes, “first The Right to Information Act implemented by the Government does not hold any specific information on Trafficking of Children, its measures and steps to stop it so this should be taken into account and amended accordingly. Second The Social Security Schemes and its mechanism should be implemented in IPC Sec 41(B). Third, a thorough in depth investigation must be conducted on the children of below 18 years as to whether they leave their homes on their own or are being trafficked.” Justice, B.K. Mishra honoured the event as the Chief Guest. He thronged upon the same facts with much more valour and power and made sure that the bill passes in the Parliament with the consent of both the houses. Finally, Mr. Laxminarayan Nanda, Child protection specialist gave a group presentation and summarization on the pertaining topic.
