Maharashtra mulls relief for rape victims

MUMBAI: To soothe the frayed nerves of rape victims, the state government is planning a scheme to compensate them and also provide them with counselling to overcome mental trauma. Besides monetary support that aims to provide aid to residential, medical and legal needs of the victim, the government also plans to hold training camps to educate and also conduct skill-related workshops for their rehabilitation.
Under the scheme, a rape victim would be eligible for compensation of Rs 2 lakh and in rarest of rare case, it can be increased to Rs 3 lakh, a state government official said.
The proposal has been made by women and child development minister Varsha Gaikwad and has already received the sanction of finance and planning departments. It may soon be placed before the cabinet and if given the nod, will be introduced from May.
As per the proposal, a victim will be eligible for compensation after an FIR has been lodged and will receive Rs 20,000 within 15 days of making an application along with a copy of the FIR. A committee will monitor the fund release and once the application is made, may if it feels the need record the investigating officer’s version. The second installment of Rs 50,000 would then be given to the victim towards covering medical and legal aid. The final installment of Rs 1.3 lakh (Rs 2.3 lakh in rarest of rare cases) will subsequently be given.
The scheme is based on the Centre’s model that was framed on the Supreme Court directive. While the Centre’s has named it ‘Rape Victims Financial and Support Services’, the state plans to call it ‘Financial Assistance and Support Services to Victims of Violent Crime’.
FOR COMPENSATION Victim must apply within 60 days of registering a first information report Application has to be given in person or by a victim’s representative In case of minors, mentally challenged victims, guardians to apply In the event of death of a victim, her legal heir can apply for compensation