New Delhi: Union Home Ministry has issued a
country wide advisory to states and enforcement agencies to
track missing children and step up anti-trafficking drills.
"Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a comprehensive
advisory on missing children, measures needed to prevent
trafficking and trace the children. The advisory envisages a
cohesive approach among all stake holders for tracing out
missing children," Additional Secretary in the Home
Ministry B Bhamathi told reporters.
She said that existing anti-trafficking laws in the
country are powerful and they need to be implemented in true
letter and spirit.
The advisory came on a day when the Home Ministry took
serious note of the plight of two-year-old battered baby Falak
and sought a report from Delhi Police on the probe related to
the child, terming it a case of human trafficking.
Separately, the Ministry also announced institution of
awards for recognition of outstanding work done by individuals
and organisations to combat human trafficking.
The awards will be given in three categories.
While category I is for States/UTs in which two awards
each of 2 lakhs will be given, category II will have three
awards and will be given to individual officers of States/UTs.
The award in this category will carry a commendation and cash
prize of Rs 1.5 lakh.
Category III is for Non-Government Organisations/Civil
Society Organisations (NGOs/CSOs) and two awards of Rs 75,000
each will be given in this category, the Ministry said.
A three-member committee comprising former Home Secretary
GK Pillai, retired IPS officer Koshy Koshy and IGNOU VC
Professor M Aslam will shortlist the awardees from the
nominations received by the Home Ministry.
The last date nominations is March 5.
Additional details in this regard are also available
on the ministry`s website-- www.mha.nic.in.
PTI
