Centre Draws Up Compensation Policy For Victims Of Assault And Other Crimes

Every day, we put stories out there that talk about women, and the issues they are facing. And every day, we are appalled at the things men, women and politicians get away with when it comes to crimes against women. We know it would be a tall ask for all of this to stop. But there is hope. While we may not be able to undo the crime, this is an effort in the right direction. The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Centre have drawn up a policy that will offer victims of sexual assault or severe trauma a minimum amount of compensation.

A minimum Rs 5 lakh is to be paid in case of loss of life or gang rape of a victim, and maximum has been fixed at Rs 10 lakh, under this scheme. Rs 4 lakh is the minimum to be paid in case of rape or unnatural sexual assault. For the loss of any limb or part of the body resulting in 80% of permanent disability, Rs 2 lakh is to be given and Rs 2 lakh in case of grievous physical injury. The scheme applies to all states.

Currently, each state has a compensation amount, but there is no national policy for this. The amount offered also varies significantly with Odisha offering a minimum of Rs 10,000 while Goa offers Rs 10 lakh. Maharashtra has no rules framed for compensation in such cases. As the amount of compensation varies in different states, a bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta on Thursday approved the scheme in principle.

This is definitely not enough, but it’s a beginning; and we are for it.