Minister Criticizes West Bengal for Lax Safety Measures for Women and Children

Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi criticized the West Bengal government for not implementing crucial safety measures for women and girls. In a letter to CM Mamata Banerjee, Devi said the state has yet to start 11 Fast Track Special Courts or integrate key emergency helplines, leaving 48,600 rape and POCSO cases pending.

In a scathing critique, Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi condemned the West Bengal government for its alleged failure to adopt essential safety measures for women and girls. Devi asserted that the state had not initiated the remaining 11 Fast Track Special Courts despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases.

In her letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the minister lambasted the state's delay in operationalizing key emergency helplines such as the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), and Child Helpline. She stressed that these services are crucial for providing immediate aid to victims of violence and criticized the state for its inaction despite multiple reminders from the Central government.

Devi highlighted West Bengal's failure to activate the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) allocated under a centrally sponsored scheme meant to expedite the trial and disposal of sexual offense cases. Despite the central government allocating 123 FTSCs in 2019, only six exclusive POCSO courts had been operationalized by mid-2024. The minister urged immediate steps to ensure safety and equal rights for women and girls in the state.

(With inputs from agencies.)