Date:13/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/13/stories/2006071320040300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Madurai

Helpline in All Women Police Stations soon

Staff Reporter

Right to Information Act a powerful tool: DIG Right to Information Act is a powerful tool, says DIG

SPREADING AWARENESS: N. Chenbaharaman, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Madurai Range, addressing at the inaugural function of Tamil Nadu Right to Information Campaign organised by the SOCO Trust and the Society for Integrated Rural Development, i n the city on Wednesday. — Photo: S. James

MADURAI: The Deputy Inspector General of Police, Madurai Range, N. Chenbaharaman, has proposed to introduce women helpline to deal with complaints pertaining to dowry harassment in all the 12 All Women Police Stations in Madurai and Virudhunagar districts under the range.

"I am looking for professionals, such as doctors, advocates and social scientists who can counsel the couples to avoid an early break in matrimonial relationships," Mr. Chenbaharaman said.

However, even after the counselling, if the wife insisted on prosecuting the man, the police would register a case and continue with it, he added.

Since policemen could not conduct counselling, the Dowry Prohibition Rules 2004 permits the District Social Welfare Officer, assisted by counsellors, to counsel the couples and settle their differences peacefully. "Thereby we eliminate third parties, who instigate the couple to separate," he added.

Follow-up action

The counsellors would take up a follow-up action at regular intervals even after the couple come for amicable settlement to ensure that the woman lived in peace without any harassment, he added.

Addressing the inaugural function of the Tamil Nadu Right To Information Campaign, Mr. Chenbaharaman said that the Right to Information Act was a powerful tool at the hands of the common man to get all the Government benefits. "It would bring about transparency and corruption-free administration," he added.

Very few petitions

Stating that the Government had received very few petitions seeking information under the provisions of the Act, he attributed it to the lack of awareness of the Act among rural masses. The officials were duty-bound to give the information, otherwise would face penalty, he said.

The SOCO Trust and the Society for Integrated Rural Development along with several other organisations has taken up a campaign in 20 districts to propagate the Right to Information Act, its procedure and its benefits among students, teachers, Government employees and policemen.

The Director of SOCO Trust, A. Mehaboob Batcha and SIRD Director, M. Jeeva addressed the volunteers of non-governmental organisations.