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Title: Need to check human trafficking in the Country.
SHRI J.M. AARON RASHID (PERIYAKULAM): Human trafficking continues to be a serious blot on India’s economy, which has registered approx. 9% growth rate in recent times. The magnitude of human trafficking is a clear indication that all important issues of poverty alleviation remains largely unaddressed even today. As per recent estimates 2-3 million people are trafficked within and out of India every year in this nefarious illegal business, which has assumed alarming proportion and is considered third biggest trade after drugs and arms smuggling.
In the southern part of India too, human trafficking has attained sinister dimension over the years. While poverty, lack of employment avenues, illiteracy etc. are the main contributory factors to this scourge, natural calamities, ethnic unrest and cross-border infiltration have compounded the situation in Southern India.
Women and children happen to be the most vulnerable sections in this dubious trade, who are often lured out of this region with better job prospects, but generally end up as victims in the sex racket. Many of our villages present a grim picture of neglect and apathy, which lack even the basic amenities. It is also apparent that many poverty alleviation schemes are not giving desired results, mostly due to lacunae in implementation.
In view of growing dimension of human trafficking, I urge upon the Government, NGOs and other social activists to embark upon urgent and pragmatic measure to check this menace and restore dignity of this great Nation in the world.