Tell us about steps taken to spread awareness on Manodhairya

The Bombay High Court today directed Maharashtra government to state what steps it has taken for spreading awareness among public, especially victims, regarding a scheme for disbursement of compensation and rehabilitation of rape survivors and those suffering violence against women.
A division bench of Justices V M Kanade and A R Joshi asked the government to file an affidavit within four weeks on the same.
"We would like to know if in Mumbai or Maharashtra the public at large are made aware about the Manodhairya scheme. We would like to know if police, while recording the statement of the victims, inform them about the scheme," the court said.

The government should also state in its affidavit the criteria and on what basis the committee decides a case and how much compensation should be given.
As per the Manodhairya scheme, a victim can be given maximum Rs three lakh compensation.
The court was hearing a PIL by NGO Forum Against Oppression of Women highlighting inordinate delay in implementing a scheme for compensation and rehabilitating rape victims.

In another petition filed by acid attack victim Aarti Thakur seeking a compensation of Rs four lakh from the government, the court directed her to approach doctors at state-run J J Hospital and KEM hospital to see if they can conduct plastic surgery on her.

Aarti, who was attacked with acid at a suburban station in January 2012, was to undergo urgent plastic surgery this week due to pus formation on her injuries. However, the surgery could not take place as the doctor left abroad and would not return for a month.
The court had earlier directed the state government to bear the expenses of the surgery.
Aarti's lawyer Gayatri Singh today informed the High Court that plastic surgeons Shamol Banerjee and Rajat Kapoor from J J hospital and Vinita Puri of KEM hospital can also operate upon Aarti.
The court directed Gayatri to approach the doctors by Tuesday.

"Get the opinion of the doctors and also get the estimated cost of the surgery. We direct J J hospital Dean Tatyarao Lahane to look into the matter and offer assistance," the court said posting the matter on April 1.