More power to women: Plans in the offing for local safety groups, Rs 1K cr earmarked

Delhi government on Monday said it will create women safety groups for all constituencies and ensure adequate lighting at around 42,000 ‘dark spots’ as it set aside Rs 1,068 crore in its 2016-17 budget to promote women’s security and empowerment.

While Rs 200 crore was earmarked for the women safety groups another Rs 114 crore was set aside to ensure adequate lighting at around 42,000 dark spots in the national Capital. The government also announced an initial allocation of Rs 200 crore as part of a new scheme for installing CCTV cameras and surveillance systems throughout Delhi. Presenting the Rs 46,600 crore budget for 2016-17 in Delhi Assembly, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Rs 1,068 crore has been allocated for women’s safety, security and empowerment.

“A ‘Mohalla Rakshak Dal’ of civil defence volunteers has been set up in the Karawal Nagar Assembly constituency as part of a pilot scheme. These efforts have received a warm welcome from the local residents and Delhi Police,” he said. The government, Sisodia said, proposes “to set up Mohalla Rakshak Dals in all Assembly constituencies and Rs 200 crore has been allotted for the same”. After around 42,000 dark spots were identified on 421 road stretches with the help of multiple agencies, including Delhi Police and women’s safety NGOs, he added.