Govt considering to grant Rs 5 lakh aid to acid attack victims

NEW DELHI, Apr 21:
Government is considering to grant an additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh to victims of acid attacks and measures are being taken for effective curbs on such incidents and stringent action against perpetrators, the Lok Sabha was informed today.    During Question Hour, Minister of State for Home Haribhai P Chaudhary said, “We have written to the Finance Ministry for due clearance and sanctions.” He said this compensation would be in addition to the grant of Rs 3 lakh that is made by state government concerned to such victims.
Besides this, penalty, if fined by court on convict in the attack cases, would also be paid to victims. However, the government is not considering any proposal for the grant of life-long pension to such victims, the Minister added.
Intervening in the reply, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said model rules for regulation of sale of acid have been formulated and implemented by all states.
Several members, including Gutha Sukender Reddy and Ranjeet Ranjan (both from Congress) and A Arunmozhithevan (AIADMK) expressed serious concerns over the incidents and demanded more effective measures for curbs on them and relief and rehabilitation of its victims.   Ms Ranjan said such attacks should be treated as serious crimes as rapes and the provision of death penalty should be considered for perpetrators of such attacks.
P K Sreemathy of the CPI(M) demanded for life-long pension for such victims.
The Minister assured that all necessary steps have been taken for preventing these crimes and regulating the sale of acid. Five amendments have been made in laws for stringent punishment to culprits and better rehabilitation and full and free medical treatment of victims. (UNI)