27. The Committee notes with concern that trafficking in persons remains a serious problem faced by the State party. The Committee is particularly concerned that women and children belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes make up a large proportion of victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. The Committee is also concerned that victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation, rather than being afforded protection and rehabilitation, are prosecuted under the Immoral Trafficking Prevention Act (ITPA), and that there is no legislation that specifically criminalizes trafficking in persons. 28. The Committee is deeply concerned that, despite the rapid economic growth achieved under the Ninth Plan (1997-2002) and the Tenth Plan (2002-07), high levels of poverty as well as serious food insecurity and shortages persist in the country, disproportionately affecting the population living in the poorer states and in rural areas, and the disadvantaged and marginalized groups. The Committee is also concerned that the State party, in its pursuit of economic growth, and in its definition of the poverty threshold exclusively in terms of consumption, has overlooked its obligations to fully integrate human rights, particularly economic, social and cultural rights, in its poverty-reduction strategies. The Committee is also concerned about reports of corruption, inefficiency and discrimination in distribution that hamper access to food, particularly by the disadvantaged and marginalized groups of society who have been excluded from the benefits of the State party’s economic growth. 29. The Committee is deeply concerned that the extreme hardship being experienced byfarmers has led to an increasing incidence of suicides by farmers over the past decade. The Committee is particularly concerned that the extreme poverty among small-hold farmers caused by the lack of land, access to credit and adequate rural infrastructures, has been exacerbated by the introduction of genetically modified seeds by multinational corporations and the ensuing escalation of prices of seeds, fertilizers and pesticides, particularly in the cotton industry. 30. The Committee is concerned about the lack of a national housing policy which particularly addresses the needs of the disadvantaged and marginalized individuals and groups, including those living in slums who are reportedly growing in numbers, by providing them with low-cost housing units. The Committee also regrets that sufficient information was not provided by the State party on the extent and causes of homelessness in the State party. The Committee is also concerned that while housing is under the responsibility of the State Government, the oversight exercised by the Federal Government is insufficient to ensure effective implementation of the existing strategies and policies to ensure the right to housing for all. 31. The Committee, while noting that the draft resettlement and rehabilitation bill is currently before Parliament, remains deeply concerned about the reports of displacement and forced evictions in the context of land acquisition by private and state actors for the purposes of development projects, including constructions of dams and mining, and that the members of disadvantaged and marginalized groups, in particular, the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes, are adversely affected by such displacement from their homes, lands and their sources of livelihood. The Committee is also concerned that urban renewal projects, sporting events, infrastructure expansion, environmental projects and more recently, the designation of large areas as tax-free special economic zones, have resulted in the displacement of millions of families, most of whom have not received adequate compensation and rehabilitation. Furthermore, the Committee is concerned about the lack of effective consultations and legal redress for persons affected by displacement and by forced evictions, and the inadequate measures to provide sufficient compensation or alternative housing to those who have been removed from their homes and/or their ancestral lands. 32. The Committee is concerned about the reported delays and inadequacies of the post-tsunami rehabilitation process in the affected districts of Tamil Nadu. The Committee notes with concern that, according to the Public Accounts Committee 2007-2008 report, large amounts of tsunami funds have been diverted from rehabilitation. The Committee regrets that the State party has not provided adequate information on the post-tsunami situation. 33. The Committee is concerned that, despite the economic growth achieved by the State party, health-care expenditures remain exceptionally low at around 1 per cent of GDP, and that a significant proportion of the population continues to have limited or no access to basic health services, resulting in alarmingly high rates of maternal and infant mortality, as well as high incidences of tuberculosis and other communicable diseases. The Committee is also concerned about the rising HIV/AIDS infections, and the lack of reliable information available regarding persons affected by mental health illnesses. 34. The Committee is concerned about the shortage of access to safe drinking water and the presence of heavy metals in ground water. 35. The Committee is concerned about the overcrowding and sub-standard conditions in prisons which are operating at 200-300 per cent of their maximum capacity, which have given rise to a disproportionately high rate of tuberculosis and other health problems affecting the prisoners.