News Excerpt:

The Union Cabinet approved the proposal of the Ministry of Home Affairs to continue the implementation of the Umbrella Scheme.

 About Umbrella Scheme

• Duration: Scheme period from 2021-22 to 2025-26
• Funding: Out of the total project outlay of Rs.1179.72 crore, a total of Rs.885.49 crore will be provided by MHA from its own budget and Rs.294.23 crore will be funded from Nirbhaya Fund.
• The Government of India has proposed to continue the following projects under the Umbrella Scheme for “Safety of Women”:
  • 112 Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) 2.0. - Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) is a Pan-India single number (112) based emergency response system for citizens in emergencies. Each State/ UT is required to designate a dedicated Emergency Response Centres (ERC) to handle emergency requests.
  • Upgradation of Central Forensic Sciences laboratories, including setting up of National Forensic Data Centre - There are seven central forensic laboratories in India, at Hyderabad, Kolkata, Chandigarh, New Delhi, Guwahati, Bhopal and Pune
  • Strengthening of DNA Analysis, Cyber Forensic capacities in State Forensic Science Laboratories (FSLs) - At present, 32 SFSLs/ UT FSLs (State Forensic Science Laboratories/ Union Territory Forensic Science Laboratories), 80(+10) RFSLs (Regional Forensic Science Laboratories) and 529 MFSLs (Mini or Local Forensic science Laboratories) in India.
  • Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children - The most common cyber crimes against women include blackmail, threats, cyberpornography, publishing of obscene sexual content. It also includes stalking, bullying, defamation, morphing, and the establishment of fake profiles.
  • Capacity building and training of investigators and prosecutors in handling sexual assault cases against women and children.
  • Women Help Desk & Anti-human Trafficking Units - The Anti Human Trafficking Module Women Safety Wing works as per comprehensive state policy envisaging provisions for protection, prevention, rescue and rehabilitation of trafficking in person.

• In its efforts towards Women Safety, Government of India in collaboration with States and Union Territories has launched several projects. 

• The objectives of these projects include strengthening mechanisms in States/Union Territories for ensuring timely intervention and investigation in case of crime against women and higher efficiency in investigation and crime prevention in such matters.