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Court News from Madras High Court

Court raps Manipur government on zero utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by RK Joysana, chief justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and justice MV Muralidaran observed that it was “disturbing” to note that there is “zero utilisation” of the Rs 446.53 lakh released for Emergency Response Supports System under Nirbhaya Fund.While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by RK Joysana, chief justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and justice MV Muralidaran observed that it was “disturbing” to note that there is “zero utilisation” of the Rs 446.53 lakh released for Emergency Response Supports System under Nirbhaya Fund.While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by RK Joysana, chief justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and justice MV Muralidaran observed that it was “disturbing” to note that there is “zero utilisation” of the Rs 446.53 lakh released for Emergency Response Supports System under Nirbhaya Fund.

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[12/8, 12:08] Sekarreporter: Court raps Manipur government on zero utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety https://ifp.co.in/manipur-high-court-raps-state-govt-on-zero-utilisation-of-nirbhaya-fund/
[12/8, 12:08] Sekarreporter: Court raps Manipur government on zero utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety
IFP Bureau | Updated: December 7, 2019 23:51:04 pm
Manipur High court
The Manipur High Court has expressed its displeasure over the fact that the state government has not utilised the money sanctioned under Nirbhaya Fund for safety and security of women in India
While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by RK Joysana, chief justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and justice MV Muralidaran observed that it was “disturbing” to note that there is “zero utilisation” of the Rs 446.53 lakh released for Emergency Response Supports System under Nirbhaya Fund.
The high court said that for strengthening of State Forensic Science Laboratory, Rs 235 lakh had also been sanctioned for Manipur but “no funds has been utilised.”
It may be mentioned that the Imphal Free Press carried an exclusive report on the non-utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund on December 6 edition.
Also Read: Manipur fails to utilise Nirbhaya funds
After a review of documents, it was observed that “everything is in the stage of proposal and pending with one or the other department.” No action has been taken by the State government despite the amount received from the central government.
Describing the situation as “unfortunate”, the high court observed, “Mere correspondence between one department to other will be of no avail. That only shows red tapism and bureaucratic delay” which is causing delay in strengthening the Forensic Science Laboratory, it observed. It is one of the key factors identified for the purpose of non-utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund, the court observed.
The high court has directed the chief secretary, home secretary, director general of police to ensure that the utilisation of the Nirbhaya Fund for Forensic Science Laboratory Upgradation is reported on the next hearing on December 19, 2019 without fail.
“If any of the officers refuses or does not comply with the direction, he or she will be held personally liable and held responsible for disobeying the order of this court,” it said.
The PIL has been directed to be listed considering the seriousness of the issue wherein the safety of women in domestic as well as in public sphere including work place is being seriously jeopardised in the form of violence like harassment due to assault, stalking, molestation, rape, etc., said the court.
The Nirbhaya Fund Framework provides for a non-lapsable corpus fund for safety and security of women to be administered by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the government of India.
Further, it provides for an Empowered Committee (EC) of officers chaired by the secretary, ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to appraise and recommend proposals to be funded under their framework.
Consequently, the ministry of Women and Child Development, government of India issued guidelines for proposal from central government, ministries, departments, states, union territories to be funded under the Nirbhaya Fund.
Please follow and like us:Visit UsTweetCourt raps Manipur government on zero utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety [12/8, 12:08] Sekarreporter: Court raps Manipur government on zero utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety https://ifp.co.in/manipur-high-court-raps-state-govt-on-zero-utilisation-of-nirbhaya-fund/
[12/8, 12:08] Sekarreporter: Court raps Manipur government on zero utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund for women’s safety
IFP Bureau | Updated: December 7, 2019 23:51:04 pm
Manipur High court
The Manipur High Court has expressed its displeasure over the fact that the state government has not utilised the money sanctioned under Nirbhaya Fund for safety and security of women in India
While hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by RK Joysana, chief justice Ramalingam Sudhakar and justice MV Muralidaran observed that it was “disturbing” to note that there is “zero utilisation” of the Rs 446.53 lakh released for Emergency Response Supports System under Nirbhaya Fund.
The high court said that for strengthening of State Forensic Science Laboratory, Rs 235 lakh had also been sanctioned for Manipur but “no funds has been utilised.”
It may be mentioned that the Imphal Free Press carried an exclusive report on the non-utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund on December 6 edition.
Also Read: Manipur fails to utilise Nirbhaya funds
After a review of documents, it was observed that “everything is in the stage of proposal and pending with one or the other department.” No action has been taken by the State government despite the amount received from the central government.
Describing the situation as “unfortunate”, the high court observed, “Mere correspondence between one department to other will be of no avail. That only shows red tapism and bureaucratic delay” which is causing delay in strengthening the Forensic Science Laboratory, it observed. It is one of the key factors identified for the purpose of non-utilisation of Nirbhaya Fund, the court observed.
The high court has directed the chief secretary, home secretary, director general of police to ensure that the utilisation of the Nirbhaya Fund for Forensic Science Laboratory Upgradation is reported on the next hearing on December 19, 2019 without fail.
“If any of the officers refuses or does not comply with the direction, he or she will be held personally liable and held responsible for disobeying the order of this court,” it said.
The PIL has been directed to be listed considering the seriousness of the issue wherein the safety of women in domestic as well as in public sphere including work place is being seriously jeopardised in the form of violence like harassment due to assault, stalking, molestation, rape, etc., said the court.
The Nirbhaya Fund Framework provides for a non-lapsable corpus fund for safety and security of women to be administered by the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) of the Ministry of Finance (MoF) of the government of India.
Further, it provides for an Empowered Committee (EC) of officers chaired by the secretary, ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) to appraise and recommend proposals to be funded under their framework.
Consequently, the ministry of Women and Child Development, government of India issued guidelines for proposal from central government, ministries, departments, states, union territories to be funded under the Nirbhaya Fund.
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