Lok Sabha Question No. 255 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-17
Subject: Disposal of Dowry Cases
Ministry: LAW AND JUSTICE
Asked by: Kamlesh  Paswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LAW AND JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL AFFAIRS

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## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *255 TO BE ANSWERED ON FRIDAY, THE 17 TH  MARCH, 2023

## DISPOSAL OF DOWRY CASES

## *255.  SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN:

## Will the Minister of Law and Justice be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether the Government has set up any roadmap for the urgent disposal of pending court cases related to dowry;
- (b)  if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) the details of the institutional mechanism set up, if any, to deal with grievances arising out of dowry and the funds allocated therefor; and
- (d) the details of the steps taken by the Government to stop the misuse of the Dowry Act?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LAW AND JUSTICE (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *255 FOR 17.03.2023 ASKED BY SHRI KAMLESH PASWAN, HON'BLE MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT REGARDING  DISPOSAL OF DOWRY CASES.

(a) to (d): The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and the Indian Penal Code, 1860 have adequate provisions to tackle the menace of Dowry. The Act prohibits and penalizes giving or taking of dowry so as to safeguard women against dowry harassment.  The  Protection  of  Women  from  Domestic  Violence  Act,  2005 defines dowry harassment within the purview of domestic violence and provides remedies such as protection order, residential order etc. against it.

Also, the subject of 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects under the  Seventh  Schedule  to  the  Constitution  of  India  and  the  responsibility  to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens including investigation and prosecution of crime against women rests primarily with the respective State Governments.

The Ministry of Women and Child Development undertakes awareness exercise  for  safety  and  security  of  women  from  time  to  time.  Further,  the Government through institutions like the National Commission for Women and State Women Commissions have been spreading awareness through seminars, workshops etc. to sensitize people about the evils of dowry system and various provisions of related laws etc.

Further,  the  Government  of  India  has  launched  "Mission  Shaktiintegrated  women  empowerment  programme,  as  umbrella  scheme  for  safety, security  and  empowerment  of  women  for  implementation  during  the  15th Finance Commission period 2021-22 to 2025-26. The One Stop Centre (OSC) is now a component of 'Sambal' sub-scheme under umbrella scheme of 'Mission Shakti'. However, scheme for setting up of OSC is implemented by the Ministry with effect from 1 st April, 2015 to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, both in private and public spaces under one roof and provide an integrated range of services including medical aid,  legal  aid  and  advice,  temporary  shelter,  police  assistance,  psycho-social counselling  to  needy  women.  The  OSC,  at  district  level,  has  provided  a dedicated platform to women affected by violence and who are in distress to get necessary help and assistance, which was not available earlier.

With effect from 01.04.2015 to till date, the Government has approved 801  OSCs  throughout  the  country,  out  of  which  733  OSCs  have  been  made functional.  These  centres  have  assisted  over  6.70  lakh  women  till  December, 2022.  For  setting  of  OSCs  across  the  country,  the  Central  Government  has released Rs. 728.14 Crore till date.