The Government has asked all the States and Union Territories to put radio and web-based taxi services on hold till their verification and registration is completed. The Centre has also advised States to prohibit service providers which are not licensees with them directly.
While replying to a discussion triggered by his suo-moto statement on the latest case of sexual assault of a woman by a radio taxi driver in Delhi, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that the Government wants to regulate and regularise such taxi services. As regards to Uber, the services of the taxi have been suspended. The accused, who was earlier apprehended on charges of rape and was subsequently acquitted after a year, had managed to a fake character certificate.
However, the Home Minister while condemning the rape of the young woman, promised to initiate more steps to ensure safety and security of women and children. Singh said that the Government has put in place several new mechanisms for the safety of women on Delhi roads. Terming the incident as a national shame, the Home Minister’s voice choked as he said the case has further pained him. Singh listed out steps taken by the Government.
According to him, 255 sensitive locations and roads have been identified in the Capital; 3,707 CCTVs have been installed on roads while 1,518 more will be put up; 200 buses have been fitted with CCTVs even as GPS tracking system has been made mandatory for all public transport vehicles; number of PCR vans to be enhanced from 370 to 1,000; PCRs have been told to react on direct complaints instead of asking victims to call 100 number first; reaction time to distress calls have been reduced to 10 minutes from 12.17 minutes etc. `320 crore has been sanctioned for women security emergency response scheme and the project would be implemented in the next six to seven months.
Till November this year 25,000 rape cases have been registered across the country. The conviction rate in Delhi has, however, been higher than the national average at 36 per cent. Singh said there is no shortage of law only their proper implementation was needed.
Earlier, members cutting across party lines condemned the heinous act and expressed concern. Members raised issue of women safety during night and in public transports, accountability of drivers and companies. They also sought to know if the existing laws and fast track courts were enough or more was needed while some felt that present laws needed proper implementation. Members also raised issue of strengthening police forces and providing arms license to women for self defence. And, Ramdas Athavale of Republican Party of India (A) said that people should thrash and break legs/ hands of those who commit rape. To this Rajnath Singh said: “This I leave it to your wisdom.”
After Singh’s reply Jaya Bachchan (SP) rose to say: “Nattha Singh or Prem Singh, only names will change. I am being cynical but I know nothing will happen. I am saying this with lot of pain and angst.” Responding to her, Deputy Chairman PJ Kurien said there was no need for such pessimism after the HM’s assurance.