India has more than three million sex workers and the industry is estimated to be worth over $8bn (£5bn).

Many of those workers want the trade legalised. The head of the country's top body for women's welfare has also called for them to be given more rights, to help protect them against exploitation.

But there is opposition, with fears that legal recognition will further encourage trafficking, particularly of young girls.

The BBC's Yogita Limaye reports from the city of Kolkata (Calcutta) for India Business Report.