Budget 2015: Nirbhaya fund to aid one stop crisis centres

New Delhi, Feb 28: The allocation of Rs 1000 crore in the Union Budget 2015 more for the Nirbhaya fund is a welcome move as the government proposes to set up Nirbhaya centres in 650 different places across the country.

The Nirbhaya centres would act as a one stop crisis centre to provide aid to women in distress would come up in a phased manner and is a proposal by the Women and Child development ministry.

The budgetary allocation of an addition Rs 1000 crore would help set up these centres. The establishment of these centres (Rs 37 lakh per centre) has already been given a go-ahead by the Government of India.

First phase of Nirbhaya centres

As part of the programme the government first proposes to establish these centres in all the states. These centres would cater to women in distress and offer them medical, legal help and also counseling.

Following the completion of the first phase such centres would be expanded into other places as well depending on the statistics on crime against women.

The first phase of this project is expected to be completed by July. Following this the districts would be identified and similar centres set up by next year, the Women and Child development ministry hopes.

Increasing crime rate

There has been a surge in the number of crimes against women. While in the year 2007 the crime against women was recorded at 18.5 lakh, the figure has shot up to 25 lakh in the year 2013.

The figures as per the National Crime Records Bureau shows a steep increase in the number of crimes against women. This has prompted both the finance and women and child development ministry to introduce more programmes and also increase the allocation of funds.

What is Nirbhaya fund?

The Nirbhaya fund was a corpus announced in the year 2013. This corpus of funds was meant to support all initiatives by the government and NGOs working for the dignity and protection of women.

The idea was mooted following the horrific rape and murder of Nirbhaya in New Delhi.

OneIndia News