From next week, relief for rape victims in 24 hrs
The government will create the victims compensation fund within three months, which will be used to disburse compensation.
With the Delhi High Court coming down heavily on the Delhi government for the “unacceptable” delay in granting compensation to rape victims, the government has agreed to modify the proposed method for disbursing compensation to rape victims under the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme.
The court of Justices B D Ahmed and Siddharth Mridul has directed the government to provide compensation to victims within 24 hours of getting the compensation award through Delhi Legal Services Authority (DLSA), starting August 21.
The court also said the victims compensation fund, which was made mandatory under the Delhi Victims Compensation Scheme 2011, be created within three months.
The court has directed the Additional Secretary Revenue and DLSA member secretary to work out modalities of expediting payments after it denied the government’s submission that the change in policy could take up to six months. “The methodology shall be in place by August 21… the victims, in whose favor awards have been made, shall receive payment within 24 hours,” the court said.
During a brief hearing on Wednesday morning, the court rejected the proposed scheme put forward by the government and DLSA, which had given a time frame of 10 days for release of compensation to victims after the award of compensation was issued by the Divisional Commissioner.
The court had taken suo motu cognisance of the issue of women’s safety and condition of rape victims after the December 16 gangrape incident in 2012.
“When the concerned authority tells you to give compensation, you give compensation, why this wishy-washy attitude?” the court said.
The court expressed its displeasure as the government, which had said it would agree to a single-window disbursal system to give compensation within 24 hours, changed its stand and stated paperwork and verifications would need at least 10 days for the compensation to be released to the victims.
The court then directed Delhi government counsel Zubeda Begum to take instructions from the Revenue department and adjourned the matter for the afternoon. Amicus curiae Meera Bhatia also informed the court that only 33 rape victims had received compensation since 2012, and most of them had not received the full amount, but only an “interim amount” ranging between Rs 20,000-50,000.
The court has also asked the DLSA member secretary to look into the issue. In the afternoon, the revenue department informed the court that it would create the funds as directed by the court. The revenue department has now been directed to transfer Rs one crore to the accounts of the DLSA, which will now be responsible for clearing the payment of compensation to victims as an interim measure.
The government will create the victims compensation fund within three months, which will be used to disburse compensation. The compensation will now be paid through electronic banking to the account of the victim or their guardian. “ We direct that the alternative methodology suggested by the government be adopted straightaway,” the court said, after hearing the response of the Revenue department.
Share
