New policy for acid attack victims in making: Maneka Gandhi

The government has started working towards new policies to support acid attack victims, where the whole of the attacker's family has to compensate for the attack, union Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi said on Monday.

Speaking at the launch of a television show 'Abke Baras Mohe Bitiya Hi Dijo', an initiative supported by the ministry, Gandhi said her ministry has taken acid attacks on women seriously.

"We are making a new policy for acid attack victims. The policy shall have the whole family of an attacker paying compensation for the attack, not just the one who threw acid," the minister said.

In an interaction with Sonali Mukherjee, 30, who has a permanently disfigured face after an acid attack in 2003, Gandhi said a ban on acid has not been possible as acid is used for many purposes in daily life.

Through 'One Stop Centres' set up by the ministry, women affected by violence can receive medical, legal and police help, she added.

Gandhi also added that through this show, which will daily telecast inspiring stories of women from across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' will be taken a step ahead.

The programme will be aired on Focus TV starting August 15 this year.

Women who have survived through all odds to stand as the first female police officer of the country, the first physically challenged woman to climb the Mount Everest among others, will be featured in the show.