In a significant move, Delhi Government has decided to transfer ‘women in distress cell helpline 181’ functioning from Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) since December 31, 2012 to Women and Child Development Department. The women helpline set up by former Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in the aftermath of the December 16 brutal gang-rape seems to be losing teeth. The helpline, which used to operate from Chief Minister’s Office in Delhi Secretariat, will now function from the Women and Child Development Department from July 1. The administrative, operational and management control of the helpline will be under Women and Child Development Department. The helpline, which drew a large number of complaints, has recently been transferred to the WCD Department and will not remain effective like before.
There are apprehensions that if the helpline is transferred from the Chief Minister’s Office to the WCD, there would be a possibility of Delhi Police adopting a casual approach in taking prompt action on complaints referred to it. “Previously police used to act under pressure whenever a complaint would be made to the 181 women’s helpline as it used to operate from the Chief Minister’s Office. But now, action on the complaint may not be prompt like before,” said an official.
According to officials, in the absence of a government, the helpline should have operated from the Chief Secretary’s office or should have been transferred to the lt Governor’s office so that it could work properly. Since the Congress’ regime got over, the helpline has not been reviewed. Even during the 49 days of AAP regime, it was neglected.
“Recently, a committee constituted by the Chief Secretary has recommended that since the subject matter is closely related to the Department of Women and Child Development and also because infrastructure and manpower already exists, the supervisory and administrative jurisdiction of 181 helpline may be entrusted to Women and Child Development Department and one senior officer of Women and Child Development should be put in charge of the helpline. On the recommendation of the committee, it has been decided to take over administrative, operational and management control of the helpline cell from July 1,” Principal Secretary (GAD) lalmalsawma said in the order.
4 am friend on call!
Amidst nationwide uproar over brutal gang-rape of a 23-year-old paramedic student in the national Capital, the Telecom Ministry in December released a three-digit number, 167, for the women’s helpline in Delhi. The number, however, was changed to 181 as the Ministry felt that it would be easier to recollect. Former Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dikshit had requested for the allotment of a three-digit phone number to help women in distress.
Since its inception, the helpline has received 8,82,251 calls till May 31, 2014. Of these, 6,05,090 calls were answered and 2,77,761 calls found abandoned. As per data, 24,868 cases referred to 100 (Delhi Police helpline), 25,812 cases to 1096 (anti-stalking cell), 33,003 cases to SHO/police station, 2,165 cases to Mahila Panchayat, 1,636 cases to Delhi Commission for Women (DCW). “Though we had started only as a helpline that would report matters to the police, we have now expanded our role and help rehabilitate women and make their lives better,” said an official at the 181 service. Started as a helpline for women facing violence, 181 has now become a “4 am friend” for women in Delhi. 181 helpline runs 24x7 with staff strength of 21. There are at least eight people working in each shift. Besides the police, it keeps the numbers of all government agencies handy for providing immediate relief.
The last review of the helpline was done by the erstwhile Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit in September 2013. After that, neither Arvind Kejriwal Government nor lieutenant Governor reviewed the functioning of the helpline.