18 Sep :The Government will soon finalise a bill to provide monetary compensation to the victims of acid attack for their treatment and rehabilitation. The Bill will also ensure exemplary punishment to the person indulge in such a heinous crime.
Addressing the workshop convened by National Commission of Women to discuss amendments in Dowry Prohibition Act and issue of acid attacks on women, Smt. Renuka Chowdhury, Minister for Women and Child Development said that provisions should be made to make the accuse liable to bear all liabilities towards treatment and rehabilitation of the victim. Expressing concern over reported lack of employment opportunities for such victims, the Minister said her Ministry would approach CII and other industrial organizations to consider appointment of such victims on priority basis as a part of their social responsibility.
Highlighting the initiatives recently taken by the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the welfare of women, Renuka Chowdhury said that a bill to check sexual harassment at the workplace was also being finalised and would soon be placed in Parliament. She said that there was need to ensure effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act and awareness drive should be taken for the purpose and to check misuse of the Act. The Minister said that her Ministry was also in touch with the External Affairs and the Ministry of NRI Affairs to ensure protection of women in the case of overseas employment and NRI marriages.
Stressing the need of empowerment of women, she said that her Ministry would take up with all concerned Ministries the issue of mandatory mention of mother’s name along with father in all official forms where parent’s signatures are required. She said that signature of the mother should be considered enough for all purpose. In the case where either of the parents is to sign option should be left to the adult child to get it signed by his/her mother or father, the Minister added.
