283 cases of Manodhairya Yojana still haven’t received compensation

Last updated Jan 6, 2019

PUNE: NP NEWS 24 ONLINE- In April 2017, the state government enhanced compensation for rape, acid attack and child abuse survivors from Rs3 lakh to Rs10 lakh under the Manodhairya Yojana, the amount will be given only in the rarest of the rare cases. The government upped the maximum amount payable under the scheme after it was pulled up by the Bombay high court.

City-based RTI activist Vihar Dhurve revealed query in his RTI that from January to September 2018, 283 cases of Manodhairya funds including rape, acid attack and The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 under Manodhairya scheme are pending for compensation in the State.

While on the other hand, 1,853 cases are still pending for compensation till December 2017

As per the data received from State Women and Child Development Department dated January 4, 2019, there are total 2,504 cases referred to District Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation Board. Among these, 825 were rape cases, 1,669 were cases under POCSO and 10 cases related to acid attacks.

However, only 1,535 cases were approved by the district board and remaining 369 cases were rejected. Out of the approved cases, around 600 cases were considered for compensation and 317 were granted compensation.

In remaining 283 pending cases, the State gave the reasons in delay to grant compensation are that in 22 cases the survivor was not traced on the address mentioned in the correspondence, in 86 cases the survivor did not submit documents required for opening of bank accounts. In 40 cases including 39 POCSO cases and one rape case, the person failed to submit a legal heir certificate. In 15 cases, as the survivor shifted to other states, the communication could not be made.

Vijaya Rahatkar, Chairperson of Maharashtra State Commission for Women (MSCW) explained that the available cases of Manodhairya have now been given to legal service authority. The committee requires a few documents like victim’s statement given before magistrate and expected to support the statement recorded under Code of Criminal Procedure Section 164 in court, medical reports to clear these cases. Only after all these procedures are complete they will receive the aid which is essential.

“We take continuous follow-ups for that WCD department takes care of these cases and we will continue to do. But the implementation is not in the hands of the commission,” added Rahatkar.