Ronita Torcato

Relief measures specified by the Maharastra Government’s Manodhairya Scheme for victims under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) have not been implemented owing to non- allocation of funds.

This gross negligence was highlighted at a roundtable hosted by NGO Majlis, in collaboration with the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department, Mumbai Members of the Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) and senior police officials, including a number of women police officers from Mumbai attended the roundtable.

The Act was passed in 2012 to protect children from offences of sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. The Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), Government of Maharashtra had launched the Manodhairya Scheme on 2nd October 2013 in compliance with an order from the Supreme Court for providing financial assistance to victims of rape and sexual assault cases under POCSO.

However, the DCPU has failed to maintain a list of trained Special Educators, Translators, and Interpreters despite a mandate from the POCSO Act.
The shortage of qualified professionals for victims with disabilities or language barriers was highlighted at the roundtable.

The scheme also promises rehabilitation, including counselling, legal aid, and vocational training, but stakeholders noted that these services were not being provided. Apparently, the process had not been initiated due to confusion over payment procedures.

The round table also discussed significant challenges, including delays in police referrals to the DLSA.

Another crucial topic was Rule 8 of the POCSO Act, which enables the CWC to provide immediate relief for essential needs like food, clothing, and transport.

Both DLSA and DCPU reported a lack of allocated funds to make such payments. It was agreed to seek clarification from the WCD on how to address this problem.

Also read: Uttar Pradesh government falls short on implementing POCSO guidelines?