Maliwal laments delay in panel meet to tackle trafficking

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday lamented that no meeting of state-level coordination committee, set up to combat trafficking and rehabilitate sex workers, has been convened in the past two months and asked the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government to expedite implementation of the decisions taken earlier.

In a letter to Delhi Chief Secretary KK Sharma, she suggested that “a smaller task-force as part of the committee is created, which can meet more often and address the core issues”. “It is sad to note that despite the passage of 60 days, even the minutes of the meeting have not been received in the commission. Several key decisions were taken during the meet, which are required to be initiated immediately. However, since even the minutes have not been received, one is unsure of the follow-up on the decisions,” the letter stated.

Maliwal had earlier approached the government, saying that the committee has not met even once in the past three years, following which a meeting was convened in September this year.

In the letter, Maliwal stated  that nine decisions were taken during the meeting, including on drafting a rehabilitation policy for victims of trafficking and sex workers, construction of residential schools for children of sex workers, improving of information system to ensure effective rescue of victims, among others.

“I wish to bring to your notice that everyday, minor girls are being trafficked and sold in GB road and other areas in Delhi. It is recommended that the meeting is convened at least once every month,” she added.