29 survivors are waiting to receive the money, they have been duly honored by the authorities
In the last three years, 29 survivors of human trafficking are yet to be compensated by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in West Bengal. The survivors have now approached the Chief Minister of West Bengal and urged her to release the funds.
A letter dated 24 August, addressed to the chief minister by three survivors’ groups, Bandhan Mukti, Utthan and Bijoyini, said: “Finally, DLSA has ordered to allow compensation to 29 people who applied . When they contacted SLSA [State Legal Services Authority] For release of compensation amount to the victim which has been provided since 2019 till now, they were told that SLSA does not have the required funds[s], and the recipients of the compensation amount need to wait until the SLSA receives the funds.”
It goes on: “To the point when we are told by our state government that they do not have the funds, it leaves us worried, angry and in despair.”
The victims’ group has also sought an appointment with the chief minister to discuss the issues arising out of human trafficking.
His letter emphasizes the importance of compensation to survivors: “…some of us want to start micro-businesses to earn money, for some of us to continue education, for health treatment, to make our own To secure our future by putting part of the money in some fixed deposits, etc.
The letter also gave details of 29 trafficking survivors in whose favor there are orders for release of victim compensation. Of the 29 survivors, five were compensated in 2019; 11 were compensated in 2020; And 13 were informed of compensation in 2021.
Of the remaining 29 people, 24 are from South 24 Parganas and five from North 24 Parganas. The compensation award varies from ₹1 lakh to ₹6.50 lakh; Most of the victims have been awarded ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh.
Hindu Spoke to four survivors of Basanti Police Station area of South 24 Parganas. The survivors, some of whom are still trying to pursue their education or start a new life after marriage, narrated their ordeal and said they were very hopeful of getting compensation.
The letter states: “We have all gone through very difficult hurdles over the years since we were rescued, to the point where we are starting to get orders from DLSA in favor of compensation. It was very difficult for us to get the FIR to the police, then apply for compensation, attend DLSA hearings and repeat the ordeal faced by criminals facing stigma at home and in villages all the time. We did all this to be able to claim our right to compensation as per the law. “
As per Section 357(a) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), every State shall, in coordination with the Central Government, prepare a scheme for the purpose of compensation to the victim or his dependents, who have suffered or suffered loss. Injuries resulting from the offense and those in need of rehabilitation.
“Compensation is not the same” Free Or the philanthropic work the state is doing for survivors. Once the amount is provided, it becomes a statutory right of the individual,” said a senior lawyer in the Calcutta High Court, who has represented several trafficking survivors.
Human trafficking, especially trafficking of minor girls and women, remains a challenge for policy makers and law enforcement agencies in some areas of the state. In 2015, the West Bengal government launched a scheme called ‘Muktir Aalo’ to ensure financial security for trafficking survivors.
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