The Hindu : Other States News : States not keen on women protection Act, says Vyas

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Tuesday, Dec 11, 2007
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States not keen on women protection Act, says Vyas

Special Correspondent

JAIPUR: National Commission for Women chairperson Girija Vyas has expressed concern over the delay in appointment of POs (protection officers) by States for the implementation of the newly enacted Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA) 2005. Two years after the legislation was first tabled in Parliament and one year after its passage the condition of women in the country has not shown considerable improvement in the problem area of domestic violence, she said.

“There has been tremendous response from the media, and women approaching courts but the system is not yet in place across the country with some States, including Rajasthan, not appointing POs, the crucial link between the magistrate and the victim,” Dr. Vyas said talking to journalists on the eve of the fourth regional workshop on the implementation of PWDVA here on Monday.

“The States should take the issue of domestic violence seriously. The Act provides protection for women from physical violence and material dispossession,” she noted. “The Commission made 42 new rules for the implementation of the Act and 38 existing rules are under review,” Dr. Vyas revealed. According to the figures with the NCW, Rajasthan has accounted for registration of maximum 3,440 cases under the Act till June 30 this year. Kerala, which has registered 1028 cases, comes second followed by Andhra Pradesh with 731 cases and Delhi with 607 cases. Maharashtra and Goa together have 603 cases, Gujarat 315 cases, and Punjab 249 cases while data from Uttar Pradesh is not available.

Rajasthan tops

“It is both good news and bad news from Rajasthan,” Dr.Vyas said referring to the highest number of cases from the State. “Rajasthan provides a paradox. It does not fulfill any of the five conditions stipulated for the smooth implementation of the Act including the appointment of POs. Yet it is satisfying to know that women are coming forward to register cases,” Dr.Vyas said.

The State, according to her, fared dismally on crimes against women including dowry deaths, rape and suicide. Citing three years data from 2004 to 2006, Dr.Vyas said 394 dowry deaths were reported in Rajasthan in 2006 against 379 in 2004 and 371 in 2005.

In dowry related suicides, the number went up from 101 and 102 in 2004 and 2005 respectively to 135 in 2006. In domestic torture the figure stood at 7,038 against 6000 in the preceding year and 6781 in 2004, she said quoting the records of the National Crime Bureau.

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