CHANDIGARH: In a significant move, the Haryana Government on Thursday announced to bar the accused in rape and eve teasing cases from all government facilities like oldage pension, pension for the physically disabled persons, driving and weapon licences.The only thing they will be entitled would be the ration from the fair price shop, said CM Manohar Lal Khattar while chairing the state-level function on women empowerment in Panchkula, near here. This decision comes after the provisions of death penalty for the convicts of rape and murders of minor girl below the age of 12 year.“These services will remain suspended till a court announces verdict in the case. In case, the accused is convicted and sentenced, he would not be eligible for these facilities any more,’’ said Khattar while announcing ‘Ek aur Sudhar’ project launched in the programme.Khattar also announced that a comprehensive scheme for the safety and security of women would be launched either on Independence Day or on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan on August 26, 2018.He said that in case a rape survivor wanted to hire a lawyer of her choice apart form the one provided by the state government, she would be provided financial assistance of Rs 22,000 as fees. Provision of uninterrupted investigation in cases of rape and eve teasing would be made in all police stations.The investigation officer would have to complete the investigation into a rape case in one month, and, in eve teasing cases within 15 days, otherwise action would be taken against the cop.Six fast track courts would be set up in those districts where 50 or more cases of rape, eve teasing and mental harassment are pending in the courts. These include two in Faridabad and one each in Gurugram, Panipat, Sonipat and Nuh.“I would shortly meet the chief justice of the Punjab and Haryana high court to request him to issue necessary directions to the court to record the statement of a woman on the same day, and not to adjourn the hearing to any other day,” he added.The CM launched ‘Durga Shakti’ mobile app. He also honoured four women for their outstanding contribution in different fields, including: first women bus driver of Sirsa district Pankaj Chaudhary, sarpanch of Dhonch village in Faridabad Nazma Khan, Kavita Sharma of village Bhadana district Jhajjar, and Manju Kaushik of Mahendergarh.He also launched ‘information education and communication’ (IEC) material for textbooks of schoolstudents to generate awareness among girls’ students about the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other related Acts.

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