In view of increasing complaints in women’s helpline and to equip this helpline with amenities like computer, furniture and other facilities, the State Government had approved around Rs 66 lakh to the State Women’s Security Cell in the month of April but this fund is yet to be released by the Government.
Around 10 to 15 women’s complaints related to dowry, marital disputes, domestic violence and other disputes are reported daily by the aggrieved women at the district’s women’s helpline. It may be mentioned here that State Government had approved funds for computers, telephone bill, vehicle allowances, expense on public awareness campaign and conducting training programme for police staff on women related issues, advertisement expense, expense for inviting professionals in the cell for counselling the victims, paper expense and other related expenses in the Women helpline.
Shortage of facilities leads to inconvenience to the officials of the helpline and women reaching the helpline for registering their report. In Dehradun women’s helpline, aggrieved women and their relatives can be seen standing outside the helpline or seated on the steps adjacent to the helpline office due to shortage of furniture.
Due to shortage of funds, public awareness campaign about crimes against women at different places and Domestic Violence Act in different parts of state is not being organised in the State. Dehradun Women’s helpline in-charge Deepika Rana said that a total of 820 cases of domestic violence were reported so far in the helpline since January 1 this year.
Out of these 168 cases were addressed though counseling while 237 cases were referred to district court. In 16 such cases, one of the parties did not come to the office for counseling while 207 cases are pending. As many as 61 cases have been refereed to police station concerned. Moreover, in order to resolve marital and family disputes through reconciliation, Voluntary Bureau comprising senior police officer, an experienced lawyer, academician, psychologist, noted journalist, socialist and others were established at district level. Professionals are invited in the voluntary bureau and they try their best to resolve marital and family disputes through reconciliation by calling both the parties.
Due to shortage of funds, very few professionals take interest to attend Voluntary bureau; so its objective is not achieved. It may be mentioned here that to make the Voluntary bureau effectively, the government had approved six lakh for providing allowances to these professionals. Observers said domestic violence related cases are increasing in the State and released funds will help the department officials to address women’s related complain effectively.