Washington: The US House of Representatives has passed an amendment that would allow United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to work with India's law enforcement entities on improving access to justice for women and stopping child and women trafficking.

The House passed co-chairman of the India Caucus Congressman Joseph Crowley's amendment on May 7 that would also permit USAID to work to enhance India's capacity for medical-first-response and search-and-rescue operations after a natural disaster.

The Crowley amendment's passage was made easier by being included in the Hyde En Bloc (Managers) Amendment (a legislative device clubbing together a number of amendments whose passage the managers feel is important).

"I am so pleased that this amendment was included in chairman Hyde's en bloc amendment," the Congressman said.

"My amendment will reverse current US law, which prevents USAID from working with India's law enforcement entities in these areas," he said.

"The recent language in the FY 2003 Appropriations Act only allows limited USAID assistance to law enforcement entities for trafficking in persons for the FY 2003 funds. This funding does not go far enough. It is crucial that language is included in this Bill for F 2004 and beyond, so these problems are addressed and rectified," Crowley said.

PTI