GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 22nd Feb. The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has given the approval to the Ministry of Home Affairs’ proposal for the continuation of the implementation of the Umbrella Scheme on ‘Safety of Women’. The scheme will be executed at a total cost of Rs. 1,179.72 crore spanning the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26.
Out of the total project outlay, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will allocate Rs. 885.49 crore from its own budget, while Rs. 294.23 crore will be funded from the Nirbhaya Fund.
The safety of women is influenced by multiple factors, including the stringent deterrence provided by strict laws, effective delivery of justice, timely redressal of complaints, and accessible support structures for victims. The government has bolstered deterrence against offenses targeting women through amendments to the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code, and the Indian Evidence Act.
In alignment with its commitment to women’s safety, the Government of India, in collaboration with states and union territories, has initiated various projects. These projects aim to enhance mechanisms for prompt intervention and investigation in cases of crimes against women, as well as to improve efficiency in investigation and crime prevention.
Under the Umbrella Scheme for ‘Safety of Women’, the government proposes to continue the following projects:
1. 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0
2. Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences laboratories, including the establishment of a National Forensic Data Centre
3. Strengthening DNA analysis and cyber forensic capacities in State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs)
4. Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children
5. Capacity building and training of investigators and prosecutors in handling sexual assault cases against women and children
6. Women Help Desk & Anti-human Trafficking Units
These initiatives underscore the government’s steadfast commitment to promoting the safety and well-being of women across the nation.
