Rape victims should be compensated from a fund, not a central scheme: Plan panel

The compensation scheme mapped out for rape victims has run into a glitch, with the Planning Commission suggesting it should be financed from a fund and not operated in the form of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme. Sanjib Kr Baruah reports.

The compensation scheme mapped out for rape victims has run into a glitch, with the Planning Commission suggesting it should be financed from a fund and not operated in the form of a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

HT Image

After a meeting of the Internal Planning Commission held on March 25, the plan panel has said in a note (a copy of which is with HT) to the women and child development (WCD) ministry, "Internal Planning Commission supports the scheme of ‘Financial Assistance and Support Services to Victims of Rape’. However, it would not operate as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS). Initially a fund will be set up in the ministry of WCD as well as in the states."

"The fund will be fully funded by the Centre during the terminal year of 11th Plan and will operate on 75:25 sharing basis between the Centre and the states in the 12th Plan," the note added.

The National Commission for Women (NCW) initiated the process for the formulation of the scheme in 1995 following a Supreme Court directive.

"The plan panel has suggested this form because it did not want to add one more scheme to the plethora of central schemes already in operation," a government source told HT.

The scheme also envisages setting up of criminal injuries relief and rehabilitation boards at the district, state and central levels for consideration of claims and ensuring effective coordination between all stakeholders.

The scheme has already been approved by the expenditure finance committee and was sent to the Planning Commission for approval.