New systems for women in distress

The project is to be implemented in 114 identified cities.

The government will set up “one-stop crisis centres” for police, medical and legal assistance to victims of sexual assault or harassment, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in the Lok Sabha in reply to a question.

In reply to another question, he announced plans to set up, in selected cities, computer-aided dispatch platforms to ensure a prompt response to distress calls from women. “The project is to be implemented in 114 identified cities, which include 54 cities having a population of more than one million, capitals of states or union territories as well as headquarters of 41 highly crime-prone districts,” he said.

The project would involve an expense of Rs 321.69 crore. Rajnath Singh said the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved the proposal on February 5 and sanctioned Rs 32.69 crore out of the Nirbhaya Fund.

He said CrPC section 357A stipulates that every state government in consultation with the central government shall prepare a scheme for providing funds as compensation to victims of sexual assault.

To yet another query, Rajnath said that in view of the recommendations of the Justice J S Verma Committee, the government had changed the IPC and CrPC to address concerns of women regarding their security and speedy justice. Advisories have been sent to the state governments.

When Supriya Sule sought expeditious disposal of rape cases, Rajnath told her that under the new law, rape trials need to be completed within two months of the chargesheet. The number of cases registered has increased across the country following strict orders from the government that prompt action be taken against police officers who refuse to register FIRs, he said.

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