Clear rehab scheme for rape victims, women's panel asks PM

New Delhi July 4 : The National Commission for Women (NCW) has urged the prime minister to implement a rehabilitation scheme for rape victims that would help rebuild their lives.

The commission has sent a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in this regard requesting him to clear the scheme as soon as possible.

'We met the prime minister over this scheme and have also sent him a detailed letter on why rehabilitation of rape victims was necessary,' NCW Chairperson Girija Vyas told reporters here Saturday.

While expressing hope that it will be cleared as soon as possible, Vyas said: 'Once the scheme is implemented, it will make a huge difference to the victims.'

The ‘Scheme for Relief and Rehabilitation of Victims of Rape, 2005' was formed following the directions of the Supreme Court, which ordered it to evolve a 'scheme so as to wipe out the tears of unfortunate victims of rape'.

The scheme calls for formation of District Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation Board at every district level and it would have exclusive jurisdiction to deal with applications received under the scheme in that district.

The victim can also get financial relief and rehabilitation by applying to the district board in accordance with the provisions of the scheme.

Vyas also said that till June 30 NCW has received complaints of nearly 286 cases of rape. In June alone, the commission had received complaints of 61 rape cases.

--IANS