Hry govt to release Rs 20 lakh for teenage acid attack victim

The Haryana Government has decided to release an immediate relief of Rs 20 lakh to 18-year-old volleyball player Ritu Saini of Rohtak, a victim of acid attack, for her plastic surgery.
This was decided in a meeting of State Level Committee for Relief and Rehabilitation of Women Acid Victims held under the Chairmanship of Women and Child Development Minister Geeta Bhukkal here today.
Director General of the Department Sumita Misra was also present in the meeting, an official release said here.
Bhukkal said that any further assistance, if required for the treatment, would also be given to the victim.
An adhoc relief of Rs 25,000 has already been given to the victim, it was informed in the meeting.

It was apprised in the meeting that the District Programme Officer, Rohtak forwarded the case of Ritu, a victim of acid attack seeking assistance of Rs 20 lakh for plastic surgery on the basis of report given by Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

The relief money would be now released in favour of Deputy Commissioner, Rohtak and be later given to the victim or her family, the release said.
Earlier, the state government has launched a scheme 'Relief and Rehabilitation of Women Acid Victims' to provide adhoc relief, medical reimbursement and rehabilitation services to women acid victims.
Under the scheme, Rs 25,000 is being provided as adhoc relief to the victim by concerned Deputy Commissioner after lodging of the FIR.

In case of death of the victim, Rs five lakh in lump sum will be paid to the legal heir. Under the scheme, entire expenditure of treatment, including plastic surgery, is reimbursed, it said.
Two bike-borne youths, both of whom were arrested later on, had thrown acid on Ritu, then 17 years of age, on May 27 last year when she was going to the play ground in Rohtak for her daily practise.
The victim had sustained severe burn injuries on face, arms and other parts of the body.