Kayakalp Panel proposes Action Plan to cut down Train Accidents

Kayakalp Panel proposes Action Plan to cut down Train Accidents

New Delhi: Railways Kaya Kalp committee, headed by industrialist Ratan Tata decided to develop an action plan to reduce the number of train accidents, amid concerns over increasing cases of human errors and huge backlog of safety-related posts lying vacant.

While examining the data on type of accidents and causes, the panel is understood to have taken stock of the railways recruitment process, considering that over 1.5 lakh safety-related posts were vacant at present. Railway minister Suresh Prabhu has earlier emphasised the need for a ‘zero accident mission’ with a definite time frame.

The meeting was the third in the series and the next one is scheduled to be held on November 6. In the first Kaya Kalp meeting, Tata had suggested an incentive-driven mechanism for employees resolving problems faced by the public transporter through innovative ideas.

Rs 200-Crore central fund for victims of rape, acid attacks, human trafficking, cross-border firing

New Delhi: The government has introduced a Central Victim Compensation Fund (CVCF) scheme with an initial corpus of Rs 200 crore, to enable support to victims of rape, acid attacks, human trafficking and women killed or injured in cross border firing.

The victims of acid attacks and rapes will now get Rs 3 lakh as part of CVCF while the compensation will rise by 50% in case the victim is less than 14 years of age.

The government aims to support and supplement the existing victim compensation schemes notified by states/UT administrations through the new scheme. A ministry of home affairs statement said that CVCF will reduce disparity in quantum of compensation amount notified by different states/UTs for victims of similar crimes.

It will also lead to effective implementation of victim compensation scheme (VCS) notified by states under provisions of Section 357A of CrPC and continue financial support to victims of various crimes especially sexual offences including rape, acid attacks, crime against children, human trafficking, etc, MHA said.

Under the new scheme, an acid attack or rape victim will get Rs 3 lakh, a minor subjected to physical abuse will be paid Rs 2 lakh, rehabilitation of victim of human trafficking – Rs 1 lakh, sexual assault (excluding rape) – Rs 50,000, death – Rs 2 lakh, permanent disability (80% or more) – Rs 2 lakh, partial disability (40% to 80%) – Rs I lakh, burns affecting greater than 25% of the body (excluding acid attack cases) – Rs 2 lakh, loss of foetus – Rs 50,000, loss of fertility – Rs 1.5 lakh and women victims of cross-border firing – Rs 2 lakh for death or permanent disability and Rs 1 lakh in case of disability (40% to 80%).

The new scheme comes in effect from August 21 this year.

The states have been asked to suitably modify the state victim compensation schemes to reduce disparity in quantum of compensation amount notified by them and claim financial support from the Central Victim Compensation Fund Scheme.