Lt Governor Kiran Bedi on Tuesday asked authorities to invoke provisions of the CrPc for effective implementation of Prevention of Domestic Violence Act in the Union Territory. A detailed discussion was held in Raj Nivas at a workshop to evaluate the implementation of the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act and also Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act and non-governmental organisations. A release from the office of Lt Governor said the workshop became necessary as the Lt Governor had been receiving a large number of complaints at her routine open house session with the public bringing to her notice domestic violence and also the impact caused by abuse and neglect of elders and senior citizens. An interaction was held at the workshop with the Police officers and also Protection Officers. The release said the Lt Governor, who chaired proceedings, asked authorities to bring into play preventive powers available in the CrPC that could be exercised by the Sub Divisional Magistrates for effective implementation of the Domestic Violence (Prevention) Act. It was decided that the Secretary to Law Department hold every Friday a hearing on the issue of domestic violence. Welfare Minister M Kandasamy, who also participated in the deliberations, said the Puducherry Ministry was "on the same page as that of Lt Governor with a common agenda of development of Puducherry." The workshop was organised jointly by the Departments of Police, Law, Women and Child Development, judiciary and NGOs.
