Dr Rajdeep Roy lays foundation stone of one stop center for women victims in Silchar

Nov 22: MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy laid the foundation stone of a permanent one-stop center for women in distress by violence both in private and public places under Social Welfare Department at Sonai Road, Silchar here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, MP Dr. Roy said ” There is a need for the construction of a permanent building for the one stop centre as women and children under the age of 18 are prone to being the victims of violence and this group is to be rescued and given shelter”.

“Specially after the Nirbhaya incident, the present government has planned for a shelter which will work under the district administration and further more amendments will be made in the coming days,” mentioned Dr Roy.
While elaborating on the government’s policy on crime against women, MP Dr Roy said, “Our Government is keen on social security of the women. To minimise the issues of crime against women, government of India has set up a department headed by Minister of Women and Child Development , Government of India, Smriti Irani . In addition to that, new laws are also being formulated in the parliament which are to be implemented soon”.

MP Dr Roy further emphasised on the need for constructing of a boundary wall, parking space in the building and stressed on the need for awareness amongst the public and media about the one stop centre.

Deputy Commissioner, Cachar Keerthi Jalli also spoke on the occasion. In her address, she said, “Women of all walks of life in all parts of the district who fell prey to the various kinds of abuses need to be reminded of seeking shelter temporarily in this one stop centre. The Centre will provide 24/7 emergency response and rescue services, medical assistance, assistance in lodging FIR, psycho-social support, legal aid and counselling. This one-stop centre will be run by the women and the overall responsibility of the centre is on the women. Such a center is much needed by the women so that the they can come here and talk about their problems and get them solved.”

“Construction of the building was earlier suspended due to Covid situation but now the funds have been allocated and a permanent building of one-stop center is being built here. I am hopeful that construction work of this building will be completed within a stipulated time frame and we will take necessary steps so that the boundary wall can be constructed here with the additional funds” Jalli quipped.

Addressing on the occasion, District Social Welfare Officer, Saswati Som, informed that under the financial year 2018 -2019 and 2019-2020 a sum of Rs. 30,34,686 has been received for the construction of the one stop centre building at Sonai Road, Silchar and the rest of the amount will be released from the ministry as soon as the utilisation certificate is submitted. She also stated that the Sakhi ‘One Stop Centre’ is a centrally sponsored scheme which is being implemented since 1st April, 2015. The said scheme was launched in Cachar on 26th January, 2017 and since then, it has extended its support to more than 450 women of all ages through 24/7 emergency response and rescue services.

It is pertinent to mention that under the financial year 2018 -2019, a sum Rs 48,69,371 has been allocated for the construction of the one stop center building at Sonai Road, Silchar and the construction work of the building will be completed by June 22.

The event was also attended by Nagendra Kalita, Superintendent Engineer, Public Works Department and Madhumita Dey, Executive Engineer, PWD,representatives of MP, MLA, Centre Administrator, one stop center,Rupali Akura,staffs, Anganwadi workers, Anganwadi helpers and supervisors of ICDS projects.