Acid attack victims to get free treatment, govt jobs

In a high-level <g data-gr-id="39">meeting</g> it was also decided that the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) will shortlist acid attack survivors and recommend them to the Delhi government for jobs.

“All hospitals of Delhi, particularly private hospitals will be immediately directed to provide free treatment to the victims of acid attack,” said Swati <g data-gr-id="40">Maliwal</g>, chairperson of DCW who led a delegation of acid attack survivors to meet Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Delhi Home Minister Satyendra Jain.

<g data-gr-id="41">Maliwal</g> drew the attention of the ministers towards the April 11 direction of  the Supreme Court, in which the two-judge Bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and U U Lalit had directed private hospitals to bear the entire cost of medical treatment of acid attack survivors, including the costly plastic and corrective surgeries, food, medicine and other facilities.

A task force would be set up to stop the open sale of acid in the national Capital, Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) Swati <g data-gr-id="38">Maliwal</g> said here on Thursday. Despite being banned by the Apex Court, acid sells openly in the city, leaving the chemical open to misuse, especially in crimes against women.

“A task force would be constituted to curb the open sale of acid in Delhi,” <g data-gr-id="36">Maliwal</g> said after meeting Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Health Minister Satyendra Jain.

The health ministry also decided to form a committee for coordinating with the ministry on <g data-gr-id="48">implementation</g> of the Supreme Court directive. The name of the coordinator of the committee will now be intimated to the ministry by DCW. Delhi government has also nominated R N Das, 

OSD to <g data-gr-id="46">health</g> minister for the treatment of acid attack survivors.

“The rate of prosecution is very low in acid attack cases. According to a report, three out of four culprits are not prosecuted and hence they roam free. The government has also assured to appoint senior prosecutors for pursuing the cases of acid attack survivors pending in various courts,” said <g data-gr-id="43">Maliwal</g>. Delhi government spokesperson also informed that the demand to appoint special prosecutors has been accepted and the Home Department will follow-up on the matter. 

It was also decided that the Delhi State AIDS Control Society (<g data-gr-id="35">DSACS</g>) shall be instructed to provide adequate condoms to the sex workers in G B Road area of the national Capital.