Special centres for rape victims, says Maneka

The government would set up special centres for rape victims in each district of the country to give them protection, medical treatment and legal help, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi announced Monday.

The project which will approximately cost Rs.500 crore would be set up by the end of this year, Gandhi said during a media briefing here.

The centres will provide medical and legal help to rape victims as well as police and ambulance services, she said.

"We have funds for the project, but if needed we will take money from the Nirbhaya Fund, which was created for the welfare of women in the aftermath of the December 2012 Delhi gang-rape," the minister said.

Gandhi said the basic infrastructure would be put in place fast and a nodal officer has already been appointed for the project. The centres would be set up in line with existing ones in countries like Malaysia and England.

"They will have a dedicated and competent medical and legal staff," she added.

Listing the priorities of her ministry in the first 100 days of government, Gandhi said her focus would be on setting up the rape crisis centres, refurbishing the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) and building toilets for women across the country.

"I would be happy to spend all my MPLAD fund in building toilets for women," she said.