Rajnath Singh launches all-in-one, emergency helpline number 112

Users can dial 112 or use the 112 India app or use panic buttons on their phones to connect to a single number based emergency service linked to police, fire services, health services and other helplines.

The minister tweeted that a single emergency number is being launched in New Delhi.

A pan-India single number (112) based Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) is being launched in New Delhi. Join… https://t.co/CCQLO09TBo

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) February 19, 2019

The 16 states/union territories where the ERSS has been launched are Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Jammu & Kashmir.

The ERSS project, being launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Women & Child Development (WCD), is financed using Rs 321.69 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund Scheme.

The government has also enacted the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, to provide effective deterrence against the offence of rape.

The launch of the panic button (ERSS), Safe City Implementation Monitoring Portal, orientation workshop on women safety, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) are a part of a various initiatives aimed at improving women’s safety and to enable effective implementation of the Act, effective investigation and prosecution machinery and to instil a sense of security amongst women.