State to give Rs 10L relief to rape victims

After being repeatedly slammed by the Bombay High Court to increase the compensation for rape survivors and to take a lesson from neighbouring Goa, the state government has finally agreed to raise the relief amount.

Women and Child Welfare Development Minister Pankaja Munde told the Legislative Council on Friday that the state government has decided to raise the compensation for rape victims from the present Rs 3 lakh to Rs 10 lakh. Goa, too, pays a similar amount.

Munde said in the Council that “the government is sympathetic towards rape victims. We assure to take proper care of them and it’s our top priority”.

Munde on Friday was replying to a question raised by Council legislator Husanbanu Khalifa on the measly amount that the government pays to survivors of the worst crime against women. Khalifa informed the Council that a petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court by a rape survivor in which the victim has referred to the amount that is being paid by Goa. The High Court had then directed the Maharashtra government to raise the compensation amount while slamming the state over what was being paid to the unfortunate girls.

Munde also told the Council, “A proposal by her ministry to raise the amount to Rs 10 lakh will be presented before the cabinet for its approval. The report also talks about imparting skill development training to the rape survivors.