Govt sensitive to issue of crimes against women, children: HM

Government is sensitive to the problem of crimes against women and children and has strengthened legal and institutional infrastructure to deal with the menace, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today.

Inaugurating the Quasquicentennial Ground on the occasion of 125th anniversary of Delhi Bar Association here, Singh said the Criminal law (Amendment) Act has been a landmark legislation which enhanced the punishment for various crimes against women.

Singh said a decision has been taken to assist the states to set up dedicated investigative units to tackle crime against women in about 564 districts in the country.

These units will be specialised in nature having 1/3rd women investigators and will be funded by the Centre and States on 50:50 sharing basis.

"The police officers and medical officers can also be prosecuted if found wanting in discharging their responsibilities in specific cases against women," he said.

The Home Minister said a nationwide emergency response system (NERS) and having '112' as the emergency number will soon be operationalised.

Singh said the NERS can be dialled from anywhere in the country by anyone to seek police assistance.

The Home Minister said that timely and hassle-free registration of crime is equally important and the Home Ministry is going to provide the facility to the people through citizen portal which is under development as part of Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and System (CCTNS) project.

"This will create a facility for people to report a crime and also track the follow up action taken by the appropriate agencies," he said.

Stressing the need for rehabilitation of acid attack victims, Singh said a Central Victim Compensation Fund has been set up to support the states, under which acid attack victims will be given additional compensation up to Rs 5 lakh for treatment.

He said the Home Ministry is working in partnership with the insurance companies and Health Ministry to develop a cashless treatment scheme for victims of acid attacks.

Pointing out that a large number of women and children are victims of human trafficking, Singh said an in-principle decision has been taken to set up an organised crime investigating agency for which inter-ministerial consultations have been initiated.

Singh said the Home Ministry, in close coordination with the state governments, took up two specific campaigns 'Operation Smile' during January 2015 and 'Operation Muskan' during July 2015 to rescue missing children and reunite them with their parents.

Both the campaign resulted in rescue of more than 28,000 missing children. All the states have been requested to take up 'Operation Smile-II' during January 2016.

The Home Minister also assured security for the lawyers saying the government will take all necessary action for the safety and security of the lawyers.

A coffee table book titled 'Tis Hazari Nama' showcasing the journey of Delhi Bar Association since its inception was presented to the Home Minister during the function.