Deepika Padukone’s #VogueEmpower video may or may not do anything to actually empower women. But hard cash might do the trick. And there’s Rs 1800 crore lying idle with the Finance Ministry.
It’s called the Nirbhaya Fund.
Two years after it was set up, only Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned on two women-oriented schemes. Of that amount, an RTI query has revealed, Rs 150 crore has been sanctioned for distress signals, mobile vans and control rooms. Another Rs 50 crore has been sanctioned for women-friendly public transport.
But nothing tangible has materialized yet.
The Supreme Court on Friday pulled up the government for failing to effectively use the Nirbhaya Fund in the last two years since it was constituted.
Watch how a Fund meant for schemes to make women safe has been reduced to a political scoreboard.
Former Additional Solicitor General Indira Jaising is assisting the Supreme Court on a petition seeking direction to the Centre to improve safety and security of women. Speaking to The Quint, she says “We have the money, we just don’t know how to spend it”
Are we suddenly having First World problems? Do we have surplus funds and nothing to spend on? Or are we just lazy?
The Supreme Court is not amused. It has taken note of this excess fund and formed a committee that will ensure money from the Nirbhaya Fund is promptly and intelligently used.