News Analysis India

Tag: Nirbhaya Fund

  • Expand Nirbhaya fund beyond crime, include welfare schemes: Parliament committee

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports in its latest report presented in the Parliament on Tuesday, recommended that the guidelines governing the use of the Nirbhaya Fund should be broadened to incentivize interventions in areas like policing, assisting victims and empowering women with skill sets and knowledge to make them employment ready.

    In its 350th report the committee, now headed by Rajya Sabha MP, Vivek Thakur, has observed that “apart from the focus on urban crimes in public spaces,” the scope of the Nirbhaya Fund, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, “should be expanded to accommodate support and empowerment schemes like community policing in rural areas with an equal emphasis on psychological assistance to women victims and assistance for setting up women coaching centers for police recruitment which will help aspiring women candidates to get selected in the Police force and that will improve the representation of women in the Police force, especially in rural areas, which will eventually help to reduce crime against women and utilization of fund will also be improved.”

    The 31-member Committee, comprising MPs from across the party lines, observed that the funds have been utilized for establishing a one-stop centre, making safety devices, setting up fast-track courts, and procuring forensic kits for sexual assault cases among others which help the security agency to curb the crime against women.

    The Committee also notes that “emphasis on project features like optimum use of existing infrastructure and innovative use of technology have encouraged low-cost interventions oriented towards surveillance, reporting and investigation of crimes.”

    The Committee further recommends that an empowered panel should hold discussions with the concerned officials of the state Governments to understand the ground reality and the aspects which are impacting fund utilization by states so that remedial action can be taken and projects can be fast-paced in coordination with states lagging behind.

    In its assessment of the demand for grants by the MoWCD, the committee has observed that that the Ministry, on the aspect of finding avenues for CSR funds for building Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) has stated that to raise alternative sources of funding, states may involve individuals, companies, and CSR funds for the construction of AWCs purely on a pro bono basis without any obligations.

    On this, the committee has suggested that it “is of the view that in order for CSR funds to flow into this social sector scheme, the Ministry would be required to formulate parametric guidelines with suitable incentives for corporates so that such sources of funding get enhanced,” observing that “theMinistry may discuss the matter with States and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and take suitable measures towards this.”

    The committee also noted that Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – the flagship scheme of the government to end female foeticide and empower adolescent girls – has shown promising results in the recent past. The committee appreciates the new initiative and innovation under the scheme such as the Operational Manual that include an activity calendar for the whole year and the Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav campaign in convergence with the Department of School education and literacy.

    The Committee also lauds that the scheme has been expanded to all the districts and Ministry’s efforts towards skilling girls in non-traditional livelihood activities. It has also recommended that states should be encouraged to adopt innovative measures mentioned above in their women empowerment schemes for a better outcome.

    NEW DELHI: The department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports in its latest report presented in the Parliament on Tuesday, recommended that the guidelines governing the use of the Nirbhaya Fund should be broadened to incentivize interventions in areas like policing, assisting victims and empowering women with skill sets and knowledge to make them employment ready.

    In its 350th report the committee, now headed by Rajya Sabha MP, Vivek Thakur, has observed that “apart from the focus on urban crimes in public spaces,” the scope of the Nirbhaya Fund, under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, “should be expanded to accommodate support and empowerment schemes like community policing in rural areas with an equal emphasis on psychological assistance to women victims and assistance for setting up women coaching centers for police recruitment which will help aspiring women candidates to get selected in the Police force and that will improve the representation of women in the Police force, especially in rural areas, which will eventually help to reduce crime against women and utilization of fund will also be improved.”

    The 31-member Committee, comprising MPs from across the party lines, observed that the funds have been utilized for establishing a one-stop centre, making safety devices, setting up fast-track courts, and procuring forensic kits for sexual assault cases among others which help the security agency to curb the crime against women.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Committee also notes that “emphasis on project features like optimum use of existing infrastructure and innovative use of technology have encouraged low-cost interventions oriented towards surveillance, reporting and investigation of crimes.”

    The Committee further recommends that an empowered panel should hold discussions with the concerned officials of the state Governments to understand the ground reality and the aspects which are impacting fund utilization by states so that remedial action can be taken and projects can be fast-paced in coordination with states lagging behind.

    In its assessment of the demand for grants by the MoWCD, the committee has observed that that the Ministry, on the aspect of finding avenues for CSR funds for building Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) has stated that to raise alternative sources of funding, states may involve individuals, companies, and CSR funds for the construction of AWCs purely on a pro bono basis without any obligations.

    On this, the committee has suggested that it “is of the view that in order for CSR funds to flow into this social sector scheme, the Ministry would be required to formulate parametric guidelines with suitable incentives for corporates so that such sources of funding get enhanced,” observing that “theMinistry may discuss the matter with States and the Ministry of Corporate Affairs and take suitable measures towards this.”

    The committee also noted that Beti Bachao Beti Padhao – the flagship scheme of the government to end female foeticide and empower adolescent girls – has shown promising results in the recent past. The committee appreciates the new initiative and innovation under the scheme such as the Operational Manual that include an activity calendar for the whole year and the Kanya Shiksha Pravesh Utsav campaign in convergence with the Department of School education and literacy.

    The Committee also lauds that the scheme has been expanded to all the districts and Ministry’s efforts towards skilling girls in non-traditional livelihood activities. It has also recommended that states should be encouraged to adopt innovative measures mentioned above in their women empowerment schemes for a better outcome.

  • Maha CM’s faction using vehicles bought under Nirbhaya Fund for security, claims police official

    By PTI

    MUMBAI:  Some of the vehicles procured by the Mumbai Police earlier this year under the Nirbhaya Fund to fight crime against women are being used for providing Y-plus security to the MLAs and MPs of the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a police official said on Sunday.

    In June this year, the city police force procured 220 Boleros, 35 Ertigas, 313 Pulsar motorcycles and 200 Activa two-wheelers using the Rs 30 crore corpus that it had received under the Nirbhaya fund.

    The development prompted the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to attack the Shinde-led government, as they asked if the security of the ruling legislators was more important than protecting women.

    The Nirbhaya Fund is being given to the state governments by the Centre since 2013 to implement schemes related to women’s safety.

    “After the vehicles were procured in June, they were distributed to all 97 police stations, cyber, traffic and coastal police units in July,” the official said.

    “Of these vehicles, 47 Boleros were requisitioned from several police stations by the Motor Transport Department of the Mumbai Police following an order from the VIP Security section of the state police stating that they are required for use as an escort vehicle for MPs and MLAs of the Shinde faction to provide Y-Plus security cover to them,” he said.

    However, 17 of the vehicles which were used for the security of these lawmakers were returned to police stations after the requirement was fulfilled, he added.

    “But 30 Boleros are yet to be returned, which has impacted the police patrolling in the jurisdiction of respective police stations,” the official said.

    Hitting out at the state government, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “Is the security of ruling MLAs more important than protecting women from abuse? It is appalling and outrageous to see the Nirbhaya Fund, which is meant for the Nirbhayas of Maharashtra being used for the security of MLAs.”

    NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said, “SUVs bought with Nirbhaya Fund diverted to provide Y-plus security to Shinde legislators. Shameful misuse of power by the Shinde-Fadnavis government. Eknath Shinde’s legislators must hang their heads in shame.”

    President of NCP’s Maharashtra unit Jayant Patil said the Nirbhaya Fund was set up by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for the protection of women.

    “It is shocking that vehicles procured for helping the police to carry out their duties of protecting women are being misused for the protection of the breakaway MLAs.”

    “On one hand the chief minister claims to have the support of the people and on the other hand, each of the breakaway MLA and MP is being provided Y-plus category security which comprises five police personnel,” he said.

    “If people are with you, what do you fear?” he asked.

    Patil demanded the vehicles be sent back to the respective police stations and said the security of women was more important than the security of the breakaway legislators.

    Taking an aggressive stand, the Shiv Sena (UBT) said the Shinde dispensation would have to face protests if the vehicles are not deployed for the purpose for which they were acquired.

    Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said if the needful is not done in seven days, then her party would protest.

    “This is nothing but embezzlement of government funds. The funds being provided by the Centre for a purpose are being used for private security,” she said.

    Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Manisha Kayande wanted to know who had ordered the diversion of these vehicles for such private use.

    MUMBAI:  Some of the vehicles procured by the Mumbai Police earlier this year under the Nirbhaya Fund to fight crime against women are being used for providing Y-plus security to the MLAs and MPs of the Shiv Sena faction led by Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, a police official said on Sunday.

    In June this year, the city police force procured 220 Boleros, 35 Ertigas, 313 Pulsar motorcycles and 200 Activa two-wheelers using the Rs 30 crore corpus that it had received under the Nirbhaya fund.

    The development prompted the opposition Shiv Sena (UBT), Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) to attack the Shinde-led government, as they asked if the security of the ruling legislators was more important than protecting women.

    The Nirbhaya Fund is being given to the state governments by the Centre since 2013 to implement schemes related to women’s safety.

    “After the vehicles were procured in June, they were distributed to all 97 police stations, cyber, traffic and coastal police units in July,” the official said.

    “Of these vehicles, 47 Boleros were requisitioned from several police stations by the Motor Transport Department of the Mumbai Police following an order from the VIP Security section of the state police stating that they are required for use as an escort vehicle for MPs and MLAs of the Shinde faction to provide Y-Plus security cover to them,” he said.

    However, 17 of the vehicles which were used for the security of these lawmakers were returned to police stations after the requirement was fulfilled, he added.

    “But 30 Boleros are yet to be returned, which has impacted the police patrolling in the jurisdiction of respective police stations,” the official said.

    Hitting out at the state government, Maharashtra Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “Is the security of ruling MLAs more important than protecting women from abuse? It is appalling and outrageous to see the Nirbhaya Fund, which is meant for the Nirbhayas of Maharashtra being used for the security of MLAs.”

    NCP spokesperson Clyde Crasto said, “SUVs bought with Nirbhaya Fund diverted to provide Y-plus security to Shinde legislators. Shameful misuse of power by the Shinde-Fadnavis government. Eknath Shinde’s legislators must hang their heads in shame.”

    President of NCP’s Maharashtra unit Jayant Patil said the Nirbhaya Fund was set up by the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government for the protection of women.

    “It is shocking that vehicles procured for helping the police to carry out their duties of protecting women are being misused for the protection of the breakaway MLAs.”

    “On one hand the chief minister claims to have the support of the people and on the other hand, each of the breakaway MLA and MP is being provided Y-plus category security which comprises five police personnel,” he said.

    “If people are with you, what do you fear?” he asked.

    Patil demanded the vehicles be sent back to the respective police stations and said the security of women was more important than the security of the breakaway legislators.

    Taking an aggressive stand, the Shiv Sena (UBT) said the Shinde dispensation would have to face protests if the vehicles are not deployed for the purpose for which they were acquired.

    Addressing a press conference, Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson and Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said if the needful is not done in seven days, then her party would protest.

    “This is nothing but embezzlement of government funds. The funds being provided by the Centre for a purpose are being used for private security,” she said.

    Shiv Sena (UBT) legislator Manisha Kayande wanted to know who had ordered the diversion of these vehicles for such private use.