Endless protests and discussions have been in order over these topics, but eventually, governments have extended their solidarity on the issue and enforced stringent laws that ensure the safety of women and children. The government of Maharashtra launched the Maharashtra Manodhairya Yojana to this effect.
The Maharashtra Manodhairya Yojana 2021
The Maharashtra Manodhairya Yojana essentially is an online platform for acid attacks/rape victims/children who are victims of sexual offences. This scheme essentially offers financial support to the victim and the victim’s family who have to go through a considerably tough time all alone.
The scheme was launched all the way back in 2013, and since then it has provided monetary compensation to several victims – the amount ranging from ₹1 lakh to ₹10 lakh, depending upon the severity of the case, and the crime faced by the victim.
Through the implementation of the Manodhairya scheme, the highest compensation would be provided to only those women and children who suffer from complete mental or physical disability after the crime has been committed on them.
Salient features of the Maharashtra Manodhairya scheme
Here are some of the important features of the scheme:
- Considering the physical and mental welfare of the victims of rape and acid attacks, and to make sure that they are brought out of the turmoil they go through, primarily psychologically, the scheme has been brought to the light of day.
- It is important to offer the victim a safe space, and hence providing shelter, financial assistance, medical and legal aid and counselling services, becomes supremely important.
- Single window system: in order to make the process hassle-free, so that everyone who needs it can use it, the complete process – right from accepting the forms to providing financial assistance – has been handed over to District level or State level legal services authority who will guide the victim and the victim’s family through the whole process.
- Inclusion of Minor Girls: Crimes committed are indifferent, so why should the provisions offer to be anything otherwise? The revised Act covers Minor girls who are rescued under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956.
- In order to provide further assistance to the people, the WCD department is offering financial assistance of ₹1 lakh and in special cases ₹10 lakh to the victims. Based on the requirement, the rehabilitation of victims and their dependents through offering shelter, counselling, medical and legal support, education and vocational education is carried out.
In conclusion
Rape victims and victims of abuse have it tough for themselves. Endless procedures and court hearings can be quite harrowing, to levels unimaginable. In order to mitigate the situation for the victims and to offer them financial assistance to reach out to the resources needed to cope up with the situation is what the Government of Maharashtra aims to do.
With the implementation of the scheme, the government aims to make the statement that no matter what, the government is always out there to help the victim, alongside the assurance that evildoers never get to escape the rightful hands of justice.