Conservation of Ground Water

The Central Government has implemented Farmers Participatory Action Research Programme (FPARP) throughout the Country with the help of Agricultural Universities, ICAR Research Institutes, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Water and Land Management Institutes (WALMIs) to demonstrate increase in yield and income per drop of water through generating synergy among water, variety, agronomic practices. Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) under the Ministry of Water Resources has also implemented experimental / demonstrative projects on rainwater harvesting and artificial recharge in the Country, which have yielded encouraging results.

Proper Use of Water

Due to seasonal, geographical and annual variation in availability of water as well as lack of adequate storage, substantial quantity of water, especially during monsoon season, remains unused and flows into sea. As per present assessment, the average annual water availability in the country is 1869 Billion Cubic Meter (BCM), i.e., about 66000 Thousand Million Cubic feet (TMC ft). Further, it has been estimated in the year 2009 by Central Water Commission (CWC) that about 450 BCM (15890 TMC ft) of surface water and by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) that about 243 BCM (8580 TMC ft) of ground water are being utilized for various purposes. Rest of the water 1176 BCM (41524 TMC ft), i.e., 62.9% of available water may be considered as flowing down to sea.

The Ministry of Water Resources (MoWR) (erstwhile Ministry of Irrigation) formulated a National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development in 1980 envisaging inter-basin transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit basins/areas. National Water Development Agency (NWDA) set up in 1982 for carrying out various technical studies to establish the feasibility of the proposals of NPP, has identified 14 links under Himalayan Rivers Development Component and 16 links under Peninsular River Development Component.

Five Peninsular links namely (i) Ken – Betwa, (ii) Parbati – Kalisindh – Chambal, (iii) Damanganga – Pinjal, (iv) Par – Tapi – Narmada & (v) Godavari (Polavaram) - Krishna (Vijayawada) have been identified as priority links for taking up their Detailed Project Reports (DPRs). DPR of one priority link namely Ken-Betwa has been completed and was communicated to the party States. Modifications of the proposals and final Detailed Project Report preparation have been taken up by NWDA in the light of observations of the concerned States. The Ken-Betwa link project has been included in the scheme of National Projects.

Further, after receiving the concurrence of the concerned States, NWDA has taken up the DPRs of two more priority links namely Par-Tapi-Narmada & Damanganga-Pinjal. Efforts are on to arrive at consensus amongst party States on the other priority links.

Bonded Child Labour

The bonded labour system has been abolished throughout the country w.e.f 25th October, 1975 under the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Ordinance which was replaced by Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976. As and when existence of bonded labour is detected, such persons are identified for rehabilitation. The responsibility of identifying and rehabilitating the freed bonded labourers lies with the respective State Governments.

In order to assist the State Governments in the task of rehabilitation of identified and released bonded labourers, the Centrally Sponsored Plan Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labour is in operation since May, 1978. Under the Scheme, rehabilitation assistance @ Rs. 20,000/- per bonded labour is provided which is equally shared by the Central and State Government. The Central Government takes appropriate action on National Human Rights Commissions reports or references on rescued bonded labourers for release of central assistance to the concerned State Government under the scheme.

The Government is implementing the National Child Labour Project Scheme since 1988. The scheme seeks to adopt a sequential approach with focus on the rehabilitation of children working in hazardous occupations and processes in the first instance. Under the Scheme the surveys are conducted to identify children working in hazardous occupations and processes. Of the children identified, those in the age group 5-8 years are mainstreamed directly to formal education system through the SSA, Working Children in the age Group 9-14 years are rehabilitated through the special schools. Children rescued/withdrawn from work are enrolled in the special schools, where they are provided with bridge education, vocational training, nutrition, stipend, health care etc. before being mainstreamed into formal education system. The Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 Occupations and 65 Processes. The Act regulates the working conditions of children where they are not prohibited from working. Any person who employs a child in any occupation or process where employment of children is prohibited under the Child Labour Act, is liable for punishment with imprisonment or with fine. Further, the Ministry launches awareness generation campaigns against the evils of child labour and enforcement of child labour laws through electronic and print media at the center as well as at the district level.

The Minister of State for Labour & Employment Shri K. Suresh gave this information in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha today whether identification of bonded child labourers in various industries in a very casual manner is resulting in the engagement of children in those places; whether the Government is also aware of the National Human Rights Commission report on rescued bonded child labourers who are still waiting for rehabilitation and compensation; and the measures taken by the Government for speedy identification and rehabilitation of rescued child labourers in the country.

Trafficking in Girls

Measures taken by Government of India to combat trafficking

Constitutional and Legislative provisions related to trafficking in India

·                     Trafficking in human beings or persons is prohibited under the Constitution of India under Article 23 (1).

·                     The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA) is the premier legislation for prevention of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation. Certain amendments have been proposed to Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 to widen its scope, focus on traffickers, and prevent re-victimization of victims and to make its implementation more effective.

·                     Thespecific legislations enacted relating to trafficking in women and children (Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006, Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986, Transplantation of Human Organs Act, 1994, apart from specific Sections in the IPC, e.g. Sections 372 and 373 dealing with selling and buying of girls for the purposes of prostitution.

Ministry of Labour & Employment

Ministry of Labour & Employment is implementing the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986, which prohibits the employment of children below the age of 14 years in 18 occupations and 65 processes.  The employment of children below 14 years as domestic help has been banned as per the Act, since October, 2006. In March, 2008 Ministry of Labour & Employment has also issued a Protocol on Prevention, Rescue, Repatriation and Rehabilitation of Trafficked & Migrant Child Labour. In addition to this Ministry has also issued guidelines in 2010 to all the State Governments/UTs administrations on regulation of functioning of private placement agencies.  Many State Governments have made provisions for registration of private placement agencies under Shops & Establishments Act.

Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA)

With a view to tackle the menace of human trafficking, Ministry of Home Affairs Government of India has undertaken a number of measures such as:

·                     Anti-Trafficking Nodal Cell was set up in Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to act as a focal point for communicating various decisions and follow up on action taken by the State Governments. It also interfaces with other Ministries and National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) in the collation and dissemination of information. All the States/ UT administrations have nominated Anti Trafficking Nodal Officers who coordinate amongst themselves in inter-state trafficking cases. Similarly, Anti-Trafficking nodal cells have been created at district Level headed by Superintendents of Police. Coordination meetings are held with the State Anti-Trafficking Nodal Officers in MHA periodically.

·                     Comprehensive advisories have been issued to all States/UTs
for preventing and combating crime of human trafficking

·                     A Project on "Strengthening law enforcement response in India against trafficking in persons through training and capacity building" has been taken up in the Ministry of Home Affairs as a joint initiative of the Government of India and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime,

·                     Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned a Comprehensive Scheme "Strengthening law enforcement response in India against Trafficking in Personsthrough Training and Capacity Building" wherein it is proposed to establish 330 Anti Human Trafficking Units (AHTUs ) throughout the country and impart training to 10,000 police officers through Training of Trainers ( TOTs) component.

·                     The Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) has prepared a training manual on "Human Trafficking-Handbook for Investigators" for sensitizing police personnel and these handbooks are being used in the National, Regional and State Police Training Institutes.

·                     Training of Trainers (TOT) Workshops under pilot project with UNODC has been taken up  to enhance the capacity building of law enforcement agencies and generate awareness among them. MHA/BPR&D and UNODC have organized International, National and Regional ToTs on “Combating Trafficking in Human Beings".

·                     MHA, MWCD and UNICEF prepared draft protocol and SOP for dealing with cross border trafficking between India and Bangladesh to address the various issues relating to prevention of Trafficking,victim identification and repatriation and make the process speedy and victim-friendly.

Ministry of Women and Child development (MWCD)

MWCD is implementing the following schemesto tackle the menace of human trafficking:

·         Ujjawala: The MWCD is implementing “Ujjawala”- a Comprehensive Scheme for Prevention of Trafficking and Rescue, Rehabilitation, Re-Integration and Repatriation of Victims of Trafficking for Commercial Sexual Exploitation. As on 31^st October 2012, 201 projects have been supported by the Ministry in 21 States, under which 101 rehabilitative homes have been sanctioned which can accommodate nearly 4650 victims. The Schemes provide for shelter, food, clothing for victims, counselling, medical care, legal and other support, vocational training and income generation activities. The scheme also promotes community based systems to prevent trafficking from source areas. As on date about 530 community vigilance groups and about 700 Adolescent groups have been formed in the source areas to prevent trafficking.

·         Swadhar and Short Stay Homes: In addition, trafficked victims are also given shelter in Short Stay Homes and Swadhar Homes for women in difficult circumstances.  The Schemes provides for shelter, foodand clothing for women and children below the age of 18 years, counselling, clinical, medical, legal and other support, training and economic rehabilitation and helpline facilities.

Measures for Curbing Incidents of foeticide

The Government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to curb female foeticide in the country. It includes awareness generation and legislative measures as well as programmes for socio-economic empowerment of women. Some of the measures are:

·         For prohibition of sex selection, before and after conception, and for regulation of prenatal diagnostic techniques, the Government has enacted a comprehensive legislation, the Pre-conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act in 1994. It was further amended in 2003.

·         The Government have intensified effective implementation of the said Act and amended various rules covering provision for sealing and seizure and confiscation of unregistered machines and punishment against unregistered clinics. Regulation of use of portable ultrasound equipment has been notified only within the registered premises has been notified. Restriction on medical practitioners to conduct ultrasonography at maximum of two ultrasound facilities within a district has been placed. Registration fees have been enhanced. Rules have been amended to provide for advance intimation in change in employees, place, address or equipment. 

·         Hon’ble Minister of Health and Family Welfare has requested all the State Governments to strengthen implementation of the Act and timely steps to stop use of illegal sex determination.

·         Hon’ble Prime Minister has urged the Chief Ministers of all States to provide personal leadership to reverse the declining trend inchild sex ratio and address the neglect of the girl child through focus on education and empowerment.

·         Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has intensified efforts to exhort the States and UTs to pay utmost attention to serious implementation of the Act.

·         The Central Supervisory Board (CSB) under the PNDT Act has been reconstituted and regular meetings are being held.

·         Matter has been taken up with Ministry of communication and information technology to block sex selection advertisements on websites.

·         The National Inspection and Monitoring Committee (NIMC) have been reconstituted and inspections of ultrasound diagnostic facilities have been intensified. Inspections have been carried out in many states including Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Haryana, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh.

·         The Government is rendering financial support to the States and UTs for Information, Education and Communication campaigns and for strengthening structures for the implementation of the Act under the National Rural Health Mission.

·         States have been advised to focus on Districts/Blocks/Villages with low Child Sex Ratio to ascertain the causes, plan appropriate Behaviour Change Communication campaigns and effectively implement provisions of the PC & PNDT Act.

·         Religious leaders, women achievers etc. are being involved in the campaign against skewed child sex ratio and discrimination of the girl child.

The Government of India as well as many State Governments implement specific schemes for enhancing the status and value of girl child and women in the society. Some of these schemes such as Dhanalaskhmi deals with conditional cash transfers.