India’s Mega Cities May Turn Into Dangerous Place For Women : Report

New Delhi, May 11, IRNA - A parliamentary panel, due to the backdrop of gruesome rape of a young Delhi girl in a moving bus, has warned that mega cities could become a ˈdangerous placeˈ for women and children if government does not take measures in an appropriate way. The Committee on Empowerment of Women said the mega cities are turning into ˈsafe havensˈ for criminals despite having the modern police apparatus and suggested that there is a need for sincere effort to overhaul the ˈtattered policing systemˈ in the country with an aim of giving it a human face. The panel headed by Rajkumari Ratna Singh urged the government to set up an expert group to study the challenges faced in the form of increasing crime against women and children in mega cities and suggest ˈpractical solutionsˈ in tune with the needs of 21st century. Even now, the panel said, the spate of crimes against women in mega cities has not been contained and cases of rape, molestation and abduction have become a ˈdaily, shameful affairˈ. Some 33,789 cases of crime against women were reported from 53 mega cities with over 10 lakh population in 2011 as compared to 24,335 in 2010, a pti report said quoting The 74-page report, tabled in the just concluded Budget session of Parliament. It said Delhi topped the list of the cities accounting for 13.3 per cent cases followed by Bangalore, Hyderabad and Vijayawada. The committee was ˈastonishedˈ to note that Delhi accounted for 17.6 per cent of rape cases, 31.8 per cent of kidnapping cases and 14 per cent of dowry deaths. Referring to the December 16 gang-rape of a young girl in a moving bus in south Delhi, the panel said the mega cities received a ˈfurther shockˈ and the incident put the concept of modern policing and safety of women in ˈcomplete jeopardyˈ. The panel also expressed concern over the governmentˈs proposed move to merge Swadhar and Short Stay Homes schemes saying it was aimed at ˈcamouflagingˈ administrationˈs failure in executing it. The Short Stay Scheme, launched in 1969, was aimed at providing temporary accommodation and rehabilitative services to women and girls rendered homeless due to family discord, crime and violence. The Swadhar scheme was launched in 2001-02 to provide primary need of shelter, food, clothing and care to women without any social and economic support. ˈThough the committee reserves their observations on the proposed merger... at the same time, they express their concern that various social welfare schemes are initially formulated by the Minister and soon thereafter, without making any realistic assessment, the schemes are merged or renamed on the pretext of financial norms,ˈ it said./end