Maharashtra moots Bill on women's security

By Arunkumar Bhatt

MUMBAI, JULY 4. Maharashtra will, perhaps, be the first State to have a comprehensive legislation for providing protection and security to women, according to Chief Minister, Mr. Vilasrao Deshmukh, who told reporters here today that his Cabinet approved today its draft.

Mr. Deshmukh said that the draft was being sent to the Union Government for getting `administrative approval' since its provisions overlapped with those of several Central laws, particularly some personal laws and the Criminal Procedure Code. He expected to table the Bill in the next winter session of the State legislature.

The Bill aims at implementing the women's policy of the State Government released in March last. It has provisions for setting up special courts presided over by lady magistrates, helped by special lady officers. Besides, there would be non- government women's protection committees at every level.

The provisions include protection against various types of violence and harassment, both at home and work places. It is an integrated approach instead of having a separate legislation for each kind of violence.

Since women need protection in every kind of socio- economic environment, at all places and in various types of situations, each organisation and societal unit will be required to take certain proactive measures under the rules that would be framed under the proposed legislation.

The proposed Bill provides for four types of protection for the `victimised' woman including financial relief, accommodation, protection and temporary custody of child. The financial relief shall not be limited to maintenance but shall have medical component and even loss due to break in the employment, loss of property.

Besides punishment for the crime against the woman, the perpetrators will have to pay compensation to the victim. The institutions and individuals on whom the responsibility of the protection has been cast would be required to share the compensation. Though special courts would be set up, the provisions of the legislation would be applicable to all cases pending before civil and criminal courts.

The women protection officers will assist courts and police in investigating and providing protection to women and to assist women in accessing the protection, relief and assistance under the new law. The Government may give these officers police powers, executive magistrates and authority under various acts dealing with crimes against women.

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