Rape victims entitled to financial assistance

BHUBANESWAR: The gangrape of the teenage girl in the City has brought back focus on the support service and financial assistance the victims are eligible for. According to information available, at least ` 7.63 crore has been earmarked by the Centre towards financial assistance and support to victims of rape in Orissa.Under the scheme titled “Financial assistance and support services to victims of rape: A scheme for restorative justice,” an affected woman is entitled to a financial assistance and restorative support totalling up to ` 2 lakh. However, considering the vulnerabilities and special needs of in certain cases, an additional assistance up to ` 1 lakh subject to a maximum of ` 3 lakh, can be extended. This will be subject to a reference from the district board and the State board has the power to recommend it. To facilitate the process of support service to rape victims, a District Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation Board would be established in every district with the exclusive jurisdiction to deal with applications for assistance received under the scheme. Apart from the power of deciding claims and summoning and recording of evidence, the board will arrange psychological, medical and legal assistance to the affected woman. It will consist of superintendent of police, civil surgeon, an eminent woman expert and representative of district legal services authority. The term of the nominated member will be three years. A State board would coordinate with district boards. As many as 1,025 cases pertaining to rape were registered in various police stations in 2010 in Orissa, of which 999 cases were found to be true. More than 1,000 cases of rape allegations are registered in the State every year. The Centre has sent the guidelines of the scheme to the Home Department for taking necessary action for setting up the district boards and the State board.