Chhattisgarh Government's Big Decision Regarding Women's Safety | 12 Sep 2023

Why In News?

On September 11, 2023, the Chhattisgarh government, taking a big decision regarding women's safety, has banned girls and women accused of molestation, rape etc. from government jobs. An order in this regard has been issued by the General Administration Department of the State Government.

Key Points:  

• It is noteworthy that in the main Independence Day function on August 15, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had announced to ban those accused of molestation, rape etc. of girls and women from government jobs.
• In the instructions issued by the General Administration to all the departments, Revenue Board Chairman, Department Heads, Divisional Commissioners, Collectors, it has been said that such candidates, against whom there are cases of moral turpitude related to molestation of girls and women, rape etc., will not be considered for appointment in government service. Crimes which are registered under sections 354, 376, 376A, 376B, 376C, 376D, 509, 493, 496 and 498 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act (POCSO Act), 2012, They should be banned from appointment to government services and posts till the final decision of the case is taken.
• In the instructions issued by the state government, it has been said that sub-rule (4) of rule 6 of Chhattisgarh Civil Services (General Conditions of Service) Rules, 1961 provides as follows that any candidate who has been convicted of any crime against women will not be eligible for appointment to any service or post. Provided that in so far as such cases are pending in the court against any candidate, his appointment case shall be kept pending till the final decision of the criminal case.
• It is noteworthy that the state government has worked diligently at many administrative, practical and legal levels to prevent crimes related to women. Women cells have been established in 547 police stations and outposts of the state, so that victimized women can lodge their reports without any hesitation.
• Women's cells have been established in every district at the district level. Women's counseling center has been established in every district headquarters to prevent incidents of domestic violence and harassment of women.
• Mahila police stations have been established in four big districts of the state, Bilaspur, Raipur, Durg and Surguja. Crime against women research units have been established in 6 districts of the state, Raipur, Durg, Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, Raigarh and Janjgir-Champa.
• Abhivyakti app has also been launched by the state police department for women safety, which has more than 1 lakh 85 thousand registered users.
• To women safety and controlling crimes, CCTV cameras have been installed in sensitive places by marking public places. An internal complaint committee has been constituted in each unit to prevent sexual harassment of women at the workplace.
• To ensure the safety of girls and women, women police patrolling teams are continuously patrolling schools, colleges and sensitive places. Along with this, an awareness campaign is also being conducted for prevention of crimes against women through expert or trained women police officers.