NEW DELHI: Criticising the failure to implement and deliver on targets for schemes crucial for safety of women and children, Union minister for women and child development Annpurna Devi in a letter to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has highlighted that inspite of a pendency of 48,600 rape and Pocso cases, the “state govt has not taken any steps” to start 11 fast track special courts out of the 17 that it was allocated as per revised targets.
The WCD minister also highlights that women helpline – 181, Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)- 112, child helpline – 1098, cyber crime helpline – 1930 are in place across the country to respond to women and children in distress. Also the women and child helplines have been integrated with ERSS also. “But, unfortunately the people of West Bengal cannot utilise this facility as the state govt has not implemented the women help line despite many requests and reminders from the central govt,” Devi states.
The WCD minister pointed out that between 2019 when the FTSC scheme was launched to June 30 this year, 752 FTSCs including 409 exclusive Pocso courts are functional in 30 states and UTs and they have disposed of more than 2.53 lakh cases. The FTSCs have been set-up to ensure timebound disposal of pending cases of rape and Pocso Act.
“Under the scheme, West Bengal was allocated a total of 123 FTSCs, which included 20 exclusive Pocso courts and 103 combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and Pocso Act cases. However, none of these courts had been operationalised till mid-June last year,” Devi said while pointing out that West Bengal communicated its willingness to participate in the scheme through a letter in June last year, committing to start 7 FTSCs.
Devi highlighted that as per the revised target, WB has been allocated 17 FTSCs, of which only six exclusive Pocso courts have been operationalised as of June this year.
She asserts that the state machinary be sensitised to take full advantage of “the legal and schematic provisions made by the Centre for ensuring safety and security of women and girls in Bengal”.
The WCD minister also highlights that women helpline – 181, Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)- 112, child helpline – 1098, cyber crime helpline – 1930 are in place across the country to respond to women and children in distress. Also the women and child helplines have been integrated with ERSS also. “But, unfortunately the people of West Bengal cannot utilise this facility as the state govt has not implemented the women help line despite many requests and reminders from the central govt,” Devi states.
The WCD minister pointed out that between 2019 when the FTSC scheme was launched to June 30 this year, 752 FTSCs including 409 exclusive Pocso courts are functional in 30 states and UTs and they have disposed of more than 2.53 lakh cases. The FTSCs have been set-up to ensure timebound disposal of pending cases of rape and Pocso Act.
“Under the scheme, West Bengal was allocated a total of 123 FTSCs, which included 20 exclusive Pocso courts and 103 combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and Pocso Act cases. However, none of these courts had been operationalised till mid-June last year,” Devi said while pointing out that West Bengal communicated its willingness to participate in the scheme through a letter in June last year, committing to start 7 FTSCs.
Devi highlighted that as per the revised target, WB has been allocated 17 FTSCs, of which only six exclusive Pocso courts have been operationalised as of June this year.
She asserts that the state machinary be sensitised to take full advantage of “the legal and schematic provisions made by the Centre for ensuring safety and security of women and girls in Bengal”.
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