Lok Sabha Question No. 410 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-03
Subject: Legislation to Check Crimes against Women/ Children
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Chunni Lal Sahu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.410

TO BE ANSWERED ON 03.02.2023

## LEGISLATION TO CHECK CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN/ CHILDREN

410.   SHRI CHUNNI LAL SAHU:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  bring  any  legislation  to  check  crimes against women/ children;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the number of women/children rehabilitation centres being run especially in the State of Chhattisgarh along with the steps taken by the Government to improve their condition; and
- (d) the quantum of funds allocated for the operation of such centres during each of the last three years and current year?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (d) The Central Government gives highest priority to safety and security of women including  prevention  of  crimes  against  women  and  children  and  has  taken  various legislative interventions in this regard. These include legislations such as 'The Criminal Law  (Amendment)  Act,  2018',  'The  Sexual  Harassment  of  Women  at  Workplace (Prevention,  Prohibition  and  Redressal)  Act,  2013',  'The  Protection  of  Women  from Domestic Violence Act, 2006', 'The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961', 'The Prohibition of Child Marriage  Act  (PCMA),  2006',   'The  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  (IT  Act)',  'The Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987', 'The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986', 'The Dowry Prohibition Act (DPA), 1961', 'The Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956 (ITPA).

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act, 2012 enacted by Govt. of India provides safeguards for children against sexual abuse. The Act defines a child as  any  person  below  the  age  of  18  years.  The  POCSO  Act,  2012  provides  for establishment of Special Courts for the purpose of ensuring speedy trials. The POCSO Act was amended in 2019 to introduce more stringent punishment including death penalty for committing sexual crimes on children, with a view to deter the perpetrators & prevent such crimes against children. Further, the POCSO Rules 2020 were also notified by the Ministry to protect the children from exploitation/ violence and sexual exploitation.

Moreover,  the  Juvenile  Justice  (Care  and  Protection  of  Children)  Act  (JJ  Act),  2015 ensures  safety,  security,  dignity  and  well-being  of  children.  The  Act  provides  for protection of children in need of care and protection and those in conflict with law by catering to their basic needs through proper care, protection, development, treatment and social re-integration.

The Ministry is implementing a centrally sponsored scheme namely Mission Vatsalya Scheme under which support is provided to States and UT Governments for delivering services for children in need and in difficult circumstances across the country.  Further, the Ministry regularly engages with all State/UTs and from time to time has shared various advisories and guidelines for continued and uninterrupted delivery of services and also for effective implementation of the scheme.

Details of rehabilitation centres and funds released during last three years and current year in the State of Chhattisgarh are as under:

|   S.No. | Name of Rehabilitation Centres               | Number of Rehabilitation Centres                          |   Funds released for FY 2019-20 (Amount in Rs. Lakhs) |   Funds released for 2020- 21(Amount in Lakhs) |   FY Rs. Funds released for 2021- 22(Amount in Rs. Lakhs) | FY Funds released for FY 2022-23 (as on 31.01.2023) (Amount in Rs. Lakhs)   |
|---------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|       1 | Shakti Sadan (Swadhar Greh & Ujjawala Homes) | 04 Shakti Sadans (02 Swadhar Grehs and 02 Ujjawala Homes) |                                                 56.95 |                                          52.89 |                                                     20.75 | NIL                                                                         |
|       2 | CCIs(Juvenile Homes& Children Homes)         | 22                                                        |                                               2098.74 |                                        2281.81 |                                                   1870.35 | 73.99                                                                       |

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