UP tops list of dowry deaths in India: Govt

Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Maneka Sanjay Gandhi informed the Lok Sabha on Friday, “As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Uttar Pradesh reported 2244 dowry deaths(Sec 304 B of IPC) in 2012, 2,335 dowry deaths in 2013 and 2,469 dowry deaths in 2014(Provisional) which is the highest in the country for that year. 

Bihar is placed second in dowry death cases consecutively in the last three years with number of 1,275 dowry deaths reported in 2012 and 1,182 in 2013, 1,373 in 2014(Provisional).” The minister added that the West Bengal , Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh reported highest cases of Cruelty by Husband or his Relatives (Sec 498-A IPC) during the last three years. 

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a total number of 1,06,527, 1,18,866 and 1,22,877 cases have been registered under section 498-A-IPC (cruelty by husband or his relatives) during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Similarly, a total number of 8,233, 8,083 and 8,455 cases were registered under section 304 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Dowry Death) in the country during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. 

“The Government of India regularly conducts awareness generation programmes and publicity campaigns on various laws relating to women including Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 through workshops, fairs, cultural programmes, seminars, training programmes among others. 

Advertisements are regularly brought out in the print and electronic media to create awareness on laws relating to rights of women. The Ministry reviews with the states time to time for effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961,” the minister said. 

On the issue of domestic violence she said, “As per the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, all the States/UTs Government are required to notify the voluntary organisation as Service Providers and there is no scheme being administered by Ministry of Women and Child Development to provide grants to them.” 

“Under the scheme of Family Counselling Centres, the assistance to voluntary organisation are being given, which includes honorarium for 2 counsellors at Rs 7000/- per month per counsellor in ‘A’ class cities and Rs 5,500 per month per counsellor in other cities. Also an amount of Rs 60,000 per annum for other expenses such as rent/maintenance, honorarium to experts, typist, peon, contingencies TA/DA for visits, among others is given.”