Parliamentary panel on Home to meet today, hear views of Health, Social Justice ministries on 'crime against children'
New Delhi, July 28
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs will meet on Tuesday to further deliberate on the issue of 'crime against children' and hear the views of key stakeholder ministries.
The committee will hear the views of Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles and publishes data on crimes, including crime against women and children, in its publication "Crime in India", which is available on its webiste. The said report is available up to the year 2023. As per NCRB, the number of cases registered under 'the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956' during the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 are 1639, 1294, 1678, 1497 and 2166 respectively.
"Police" and "Public Order" are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution. The responsibility to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including investigation and prosecution of crimes related to human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of the victims of trafficking or seducing or soliciting for the purpose of prostitution rests with the respective state governments and they are competent to deal with it.
The Women and Child Development Ministry has said that the Centre attaches highest importance to the matter of preventing and countering the crimes against women and children including crimes of human trafficking and is fully committed to check the menace of trafficking. The Central Government has undertaken a number of legislative and schematic interventions to combat trafficking, protect and rehabilitate victims of trafficking, the ministry said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
This is a step in the right direction, but I'm skeptical about how much will actually change. The committee hearing views of Health and Social Justice ministries is good, but what about actual implementation? I've seen too many reports gathering dust. The real issue is poverty and lack of education—children are vulnerable when families are desperate. We need more shelters, better police training, and community awareness. Otherwise, it's just another meeting. 😔
As someone who works with NGOs in rural areas, I can tell you that the numbers don't tell the full story. Many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear. The NCRB data is just the tip of the iceberg. The committee should also hear from grassroots organizations and survivors, not just ministries. The WCD ministry's claims about 'highest importance' sound hollow when we see the reality on the ground. Still, hope this meeting leads to concrete action. 🤞
I understand the constitutional division—police and public order are state subjects—but that's exactly why central oversight is crucial. States often lack resources or political will to tackle child trafficking networks that operate across borders. The parliamentary panel should push for a national task force with dedicated funding. The 2023 spike in cases is alarming, and we can't afford to wait another year for action. Every child's life matters.
Honestly, I'm tired of these meetings and statements. The WCD ministry says they've done 'legislative and schematic interventions'—but where is the impact? I see children begging on streets, working in hazardous conditions, and vulnerable to trafficking every day. The government needs to focus on prevention: better schools, mandatory reporting for crimes, and strict punishment for perpetrators. Talk is cheap; our children need protection now. 😡
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