HC asks Maha panel to decide on appointing protection officers

The Bombay High Court today directed the High Power Committee of Maharashtra government's Women and Child Welfare department to take a decision by February 17 on a proposal to appoint 2,164 protection officers across talukas in the state.

A division bench of Justices S J Vazifdar and B P Colabawalla was hearing a public interest litigation by an activist Rajendra Anbhule seeking implementation of a July 2010 order of the High Court directing the government to appoint protection officers for each taluka as provided under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.

According to the petition, till date no appointment has been made.

Under the DV Act, a protection officer shall conduct inquiry into allegations of domestic violence and arrange for meetings if needed between the disputing parties.

The court was today informed that the women and child welfare department has forwarded a proposal to the high power committee headed by the chief secretary to appoint 2,164 protection officers. As per the proposal, there would be one protection officer for two adjoining talukas.

"The proposal was made and forwarded to the committee in April 2013. Once the committee clears the proposal, it would be sent to the finance department for budgetary clearance," additional government pleader Abhinandan Vagyani said.

The bench directed the committee to ensure that it considers and takes a decision on the proposal by February 17. "In the event that the proposal is cleared and sent to the finance department then that department shall take its decision within four weeks thereafter," the court said.

The matter has been posted for further hearing on February 10 to monitor the progress on implementation of the court order.