Panel submits suggestions on women's safety task force

NEW DELHI: A committee met Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal on Friday and submitted its recommendation on making a task force for women's safety. The LG appointed Delhi's Principal Secretary (Home) to head inter-departmental sub-committees for follow-up action on the recommendations of the study group.

Special Commissioner of Police (Women Safety) Sanjay Baniwal presented the report on Women's Safety to LG Delhi, which was prepared by the study group.

Earlier, the LG had constituted a study group on March 7, comprising the Special CP (Crime against Women Cell) Dr Nimesh Desai and Director of IHBAS Prof Pamela Singlato study and analyse issues relating to women safety in Delhi.

This report was submitted after 16 official meetings where the committee deliberated upon issues at hand with multi-stakeholders like National Commission for Women, Delhi Commission for Women, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, and various other NGOs working at the grassroots level.

"It was also informed that department-wise actionable points have also been identified to achieve the desired goals and the prominent stakeholders are Department of Education, Delhi Police, Transport Department, Social Welfare Department and Law Department. The Study Group not only identified the thrust areas but also pinpointed some out-of-box solutions to ensure safety and security of women," noted a government official.

He added that the LG directed to form department-wise sub-committees to be headed by Principal Secretary (Home) on specific actions to be taken by the departments and organisations concerned.

"The LG also directed for overall supervision and periodical review by the Home Department on all actions to be taken by concerned departments and organizations in a time-bound manner," said the official.

The study group was formed to study and analyse the root causes of offences against women in the city.

The LG emphasised upon speedy disposal of cases related to offences against women and children in Delhi.

He also reviewed the progress and steps taken for the implementation of the amended provisions of law in pursuance of promulgation of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018, at Raj Niwas.

"It was stressed that a coordinated approach for investigation, prosecution and trial machinery is needed to enforce the said ordinance in its letter and spirit," said an official.