Haryana Chief Secretary DS Dhesi on Thursday directed all the Deputy Commissioners to comply with the directions of Supreme Court and High Court passed regarding Relief and Rehabilitation of Acid Attack Victims (Women and Child) Scheme.
In a written communiqué to all the Deputy Commissioners of the state, the Chief Secretary directed them to ensure wide publicity of these directions so that acid attack victims can take benefits of the same.
As per the directions, the private hospitals have to be brought on board and the State to use necessary means in this regard. The private hospitals should provide free medical treatment to such victims without refusing treatment citing lack of specialised facilities.
First aid must be administered to the victim and after stabilisation; the victim and patient could be shifted to a specialised facility for further treatment wherever required. Action would be taken against hospitals and clinics for refusing to treat victims of acid attack and in contravention of the provisions of Section 357C of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973
It should also be ensured that full medical assistance should be provided to the victims of acid attack including availability of medicines, bed and food in the concerned hospital. The hospital, where the victim is first treated, should give a certificate that the individual is a victim of acid attack, says the SC directions. Also, the Health department will issue requisite notification with regard to banning of sale of acids.
In case of any compensation claim made by any acid attack victim, the matter would be taken up by the District legal Services Authority, which will include the District Judge and co-opted persons who the District Judge feels will be of assistance, particularly the District Magistrate, the Superintendent of Police and the Civil Surgeon or the Chief medical Officer of that district or their nominee.
According to the Haryana Government data, 6 acid attacks were registered in the state in 2013-14 and 4 acid attacks were registered till February 2014-15.