WCD Minister criticises Delhi, West Bengal for failing to implement Central schemes for women’s safety-OxBig News Network

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi in Parliament.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Tuesday (December 3, 2024) criticised Opposition-ruled Delhi and West Bengal for failing to implement women’s safety measures like One Stop Centres and fast-track courts despite adequate Central assistance.

While Delhi is governed by the Aam Aadmi Party, West Bengal is ruled by the Trinamool Congress.

Addressing a press conference here, Ms. Devi claimed the Delhi government had not paid the staff of One Stop Centres (OSCs) established for distressed women.

Also read: Indian spending on women’s safety ‘grossly inadequate’, says Oxfam

“The Centre has consistently supported States through initiatives like Nirbhaya Fund, but it is disappointing to see delays in implementation at the State-level,” she said.

The One Stop Centres scheme was launched on April 1, 2015 under Nirbhaya Fund to assist women in distress. It provides integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, both in private and public spaces in a convergent and coordinated manner under one roof. It is a centrally-sponsored scheme with 100% share from the Centre.

According to data shared by the Women and Child Development Ministry, as on date 802 OSCs are operational. In Delhi, a total of 11 OSCs are operational in each district. In the financial year 2024-25, ₹1.05 crore has been released on July 11 and ₹2.09 crore on November 26.

The Delhi High Court had last month asked the territorial government’s revenue department to take steps to streamline and pay outstanding salaries of the staff working at the centres and take action against delinquent officials.

Similarly, the Union Minister said in West Bengal, the State government had not operationalised Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) which expedite cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Centre has been implementing the centrally-sponsored scheme for setting up FTSCs, including exclusive POCSO courts since October 2019 for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases pertaining to rape and protection of children from sexual crimes.