After an eight-year-long struggle, a government order was finally notified on Friday, framing a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation package, exclusively for acid attack victims in the State.


The GO was notified following a High Court directive issued in August 2006, in Haseena acid attack case. A division bench of High Court comprising Justice S R Bannurmath and Justice B S Adi had directed the government to address the issue on a priority basis.

Campaign and Struggle Against Acid Attacks on Women (CSAAAW) had also filed a PIL in the High Court in 2006, demanding steps to prevent acid attacks and providing relief and rehabilitation to the survivors of these attacks.

CSAAAW is an NGO working for the empowerment and relief of acid attack victims.

Following the directive, the Secretary, Women and Child Welfare Department framed a comprehensive package and guidelines to address the issue, which was discussed in a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary P B Mahishi.

The GO was notified thereafter.

As of now, an acid attack victim, like any other woman subjected to violence, is given a compensation of Rs 10,000 by the State Women's Commission.

"For the first time an exclusive package has been framed for acid attack victims in the State," said Sanjana of CSAAAW.

The GO identifies five government hospitals with burns wards and Victoria Hospital as a super speciality hospital to offer plastic surgery to these victims. "We pointed out at the meeting that the treatment for acid attack victims was inadequate at Victoria Hospital and they agreed that facilities will be upgraded," she said.

In a week's time a list of private hospitals will be released where the acid attack victims can get treatment, said Sanjana.




An MoU will be signed with the private hospitals so that the women who come to the government hospitals can be directed to these private hospitals.

"They will be instructed not to turn away such victims. The GO also states that the nodal centres will have to disburse facilities within 30 days of receiving the application from the acid attack survivors. This order will be presented to the division bench at the next PIL hearing," she added.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

* Women & Child Welfare Depat to pay acid attack survivors Rs 20,000 from their annual budget. This will be released by the State Women's Commission and will include the Rs 10,000, which is disbursed currently.

* The Disabled and Senior Citizen's Welfare Department will sanction a sum of Rs 15,000 to those who have become disabled due to acid attack.

* A sum of Rs one crore, which has been released as a part of the package will be used to provide the victims with advanced medical treatment upto a maximum limit of Rs two lakh per victim. In case they have already undergone treatment, the victims will be duly compensated.

* GPs can also sanction an amount ranging from Rs 2,000 to 10,000.

First aid and medical treatment

* Heath Dept to provide free ambulance service as well as look into improving the existing facilities at the burns ward in Victoria Hospital.

* The HD and Child Development Department will identify private hospitals to provide treatment to the victims.

Employment & rehabilitation measures

* Alternate employment to the victims incase of inability to continue with previous employment due to injuries.

* Women & Child Development Department to provide loans under existing schemes for self employment ventures.

* Education & other facilities to dependents & children of women, who succumb to acid attacks.

* Acid attacks survivors, who need help will be given priority under various housing schemes of the Government.

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Nov112007/state2007111135128.asp