RECORD Of DISCUSSION OF THE VIDEOCONFERENCING OF THE STATE/UT NODAL OFFIERS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING, HELD BY ADDITIONAL SECRETARY (CS)

AT 11.00AM ON 17.3.2011 A Video conference of State/ UT Nodal Officers on combating trafficking in human beings was held under the Chairmanship of Mrs B. Bhamathi Additional Secretary (CS), Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on 17th March, 2011 to review and discuss the implementation of Comprehensive Scheme on strengthening the law enforcement response to trafficking through Training of Trainers (TOT) programmes and by establishing Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU), sanctioned by the Ministry of Home Affairs, issues relating to further training by the States at State level, enrolment in IGNOU course and documentation of measures taken by States/ UT Administrations for effectively preventing and combating human trafficking. All State/ UTs participated in the video conferencing. Representatives from Ministry of Women and Child Development, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, BPR&D and CBI also participated in the meeting. 2. Initiating the discussions, Additional Secretary (CS) provided the introductory remarks. MWCD representative briefed about their scheme named `Ujjawala regarding rescue and rehabilitation of the trafficked victims and the need for synergy between police and social welfare department. MWCD also mentioned that the names of all NGOs working in area are available on their site. AS(CS) requested MWCD to issue an advisory to all the State Governments/UTs that all concerned departments should coordinate with the AHTUs for prevention, prosecution and rehabilitation of the victims of human trafficking and should facilitate in providing the names of the officers from their State counterpart departments who can be co-opted into the AHTU and also that of NGOs working against Human Trafficking.

3. All the States/UTs were requested to give their inputs on the agenda items of the meeting. Details of efforts made by the State Governments/UTs regarding establishment of AHTUs is at Annexure-I.

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4. Representative of Tamil Nadu informed that they have utilized the funds sanctioned for establishment of AHTUs and Utilization Certificate will be sent by them before 31st March, 2011. Regarding TOTs at State Level, Tamil Nadu informed that they are in a position to conduct State level TOTs after Assembly elections. As regards IGNOU course, she informed that there is general reluctance to take up the course and suggested that reimbursement of fee is required to encourage the candidates to enroll in the course. On the issue of trends in the crime of human trafficking, she stated that from investigations it is emerging that pattern of crime is changing and involving many more states like Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Maharashtra and Haryana and there is increased use of information technology. The need for more focused inter-state coordination among law enforcement agencies was emphasized. Representative of Government of Kerala sought help of Tamil Nadu representative regarding repatriation matters. TN representative assured all assistance. 5. Representative of Kerala informed that 19 AHT Cells have been constituted in the State in each district and State level TOTs will be conducted in 2 nd Fortnight of April after the elections in consultation with BPR&D. He also mentioned about the High Court Case regarding Orphanages and their alleged involvement in the crime of trafficking. He also raised issue of lack of coordination with other States in matters as regards inter-state crime of human trafficking, particularly with Manipur. AS(CS) requested them for joint investigation of organized crime. 6. Representative of Haryana informed that 3 AHTUs have been established and IGNOU course has been circulated to all districts. State level TOTs will be conducted very soon. 7. Representative of Delhi informed that 11 AHTUs in 11 Districts of Delhi and one in Crime Branch have been established. Detailed report on the modality adopted for setting up of AHTUs in the light of the scheme approved by the HM was called for. Women and Child Department representative informed that NGOs have conveyed to the Department about the need for police cooperation in several matters. WCD representative was asked to address a communication to CP, Delhi and MHA in this regard. 8. Representative of Himachal Pradesh informed that funds have been received for 2 AHTUs and proposal has been sent to Home Department. He
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suggested that like CCTNS project, a society should be earmarked where money could be transferred. MHA would address Home Department, Himachal Pradesh to expedite as this has been pending since long. 9. Representative of Rajashtan informed that all units in the State are functional and funds have been utilized. Utilization certificate will be sent by the end of March, 2011. As regards TOT, he informed that 28 persons from Rajasthan got training in Regional level TOT and State level training will be done by the end of this month. Regarding documentation, he informed that document will be sent to the MHA by the end of this month. 10. Representative of UP informed that 12 districts and manpower for AHTUs have been identified and all the units will be operational by April 1, 2011. Utilization certificates will be sent by 31st March, 2011. Documentation will be sent by April end. 11. Representative of Andhra Pradesh informed that 5 AHTUs will be constituted within this month. He further requested for funds for victim witness support fund. No nomination has been received for IGNOU course. 12. Representative of Karnataka informed that five AHTUs will be operational by the end of this Month and UC will also be sent. 11 officers took part in the Regional TOT and informed that training was inadequate to give training at State level. In this regard she informed that a detailed action plan would be sent to the MHA. As regards IGNOU course, she informed that no body is interested in this course and reimbursement of course fee is required to encourage candidates. 13. Representative of Mizoram informed that 2 AHTUs have been established and UC will be sent shortly. 6 persons were sent to Bhubaneswar TOT and they are planning for State level Training. BPR&D informed that they will provide funds for State level training to all States. 14. Representatives of Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Meghalaya, Sikkim and Lakshadweep also informed about their initiatives on the agenda items of the meeting.

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15.

AS (CS), in her concluding remark requested all the States/UTs :

-to take steps towards establishment of AHTUs in their State/UT before 31st March, 2011 -to send Utilization Certificate before the end of financial year -to take active measures for State Level training and prepare their detailed action plan. She further informed that for conducting State level training help of master trainers at national level who have done the Regional TOTs may be considered and efforts may be made to adopt Uniform Session Plan as used in Regional TOTs. This can be good hand holding exercise for trainers who have been trained as part of Regional TOTs. -Where inter-state cooperation is required, the copy of letter may be endorsed to MHA so that it can be followed at MHAS level. AS(CS) informed that all pending requests for inter-state cooperation will be reviewed at the next meeting. -States/UTs to come out with detailed documentation of their work done in the field of human trafficking by all the departments of the representative States/UTs. 16. The meeting ended with thanks to the chair.

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