Use Railway budget, not Nirbhaya Fund, for CCTVs on trains:DCW

Taking exception to reports that CCTV cameras were being installed in train coaches from money derived out of the Nirbhaya Fund, DCW chief Swati Maliwal said the Centre should use funds from the budget allocated to Railways and not from the Nirbhaya Fund.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the DCW chairperson recommended spending money from the Nirbhaya Fund for building fast track courts and appoint judges so that victims get justice on time.
"The Nirbhaya fund was allocated for safety and empowerment of women after December 16 Delhi gang-rape incident. Installing CCTV cameras at train coaches is a good move but we are not sure if it is right to use money from the Nirbhaya Fund for that as that can done from the budget amount allocated to Railways," said Maliwal in her letter to PM.

According to reports, about Rs 700 crore from the Nirbhaya Fund was used to set up CCTV cameras in train coaches for the safety and security of women.
"I feel the reason behind rise in crimes against women is that majority of the guilty do not get punishment. Criminals do not have fear of committing such crimes.
"As per the Delhi police statistics, 31,446 FIRs have been registered since 2012 till now in connection with crimes against women, but only 144 persons were convicted. In 2014, 11,209 FIRs were registered, and only nine people were convicted," Maliwal said.

She suggested that the money could be utilised for setting up forensic laboratories across the country to help investigators gather evidence fast in crimes against women.

She also said that the funds should be spent to rescue and rehabilitate victims of trafficking.
"At GB Road which is situated at a distance of three kms from Parliament, women and children from various parts of India are brought and sold. The fund could be used for their welfare," she said.
Maliwal further said that the fund could be used to improve the conditions of Nari Niketans across the country where women who are rescued are kept.