Driving Naari Programme launched in Chandigarh
* Issues directions to all healthcare institutions for prompt and free of cost treatment to victims
Chandigarh, Punjab Government has taken a series of steps for care and rehabilitation of victims of acid attack, rape and all other offences relating to rape and issued directions to all healthcare institutions in the state whether public or private to provide prompt and free of cost treatments to such victims.
In a communiqué to all healthcare institutions, State government has asked all public and private hospitals, whether run by central, state governments, local bodies or any other person to provide aid or medical treatment free of cost to the victims of any offence covered under section 326-A (acid attack), 376 (rape), 376-A, 376-B, 376-C and 376-D (all relating in rape) of the Indian Penal Code.
It was also conveyed that in case of such unfortunate cases an immediate intimation to the police should also be ensured. The communiqué addressed to authorities concerned also instructed that all public and private hospitals and their incharges would ensure the strict compliance of prescribed instructions.
According to an official spokesperson, under Punjab Victims or their Dependents Compensation Scheme, state was taking effective steps to raise awareness about the scheme besides modifying the compensation slabs to the victims and their dependents. He said the revised maximum limit of compensation to rape victim was Rs. 3 lakh, which was earlier Rs. 2 lakh and revised compensation in case of murder with rape was increased to Rs. 4 lakh from earlier Rs. 3 lakh.
He informed that aid to victims of human trafficking, child abuse and kidnapping has been fixed for Rs. 50000, simple loss or injury to child victim Rs. 10000, rehabilitation of women and children for Rs. 20000 besides adhoc relief to the victim of acid attack at the earliest after registration of FIR was Rs. 25000, death due to acidsub attack Rs. 5 lakh and 100 percent medical reimbursement of all treatment including plastic surgery.
Spokesman stated that state was committed for the complete safety and security of women and for this purpose state was creating awareness amongst masses through publicity campaign, holding seminars in educational institutions etc. He said that Punjab Police has also been instructed to remain observant in this regard and identify high risk areas like bus stands, colleges etc along with patrolling teams. He said that to infuse confidence amongst women and school/college going girls these women cops would launch a sustained patrolling, which would be deterrent to miscreants.
