Dehradun (Uttarakhand): Though the Centre and several state governments make tall promises for victims of acid attacks, the ground reality is very different, with many women having to suffer for years without any proper support.
Rekha, an acid attack victim from Uttarakhand's Dehradun, was provided with a job by the state government earlier in February this year, but currently, she is struggling to make ends meet.
Uttarakhand Minister Rekha Arya had provided a job to acid attack survivor Rekha, a resident of Brahmapuri of Dehradun, in the Women Empowerment Department through outsourcing in late-January this year. However, seven months later, Rekha was fired. Since then, the survivor has been constantly trying to seek help from the minister.
In-laws threw acid on Rekha in 2007
It was in 2007, that Rekha's in-laws threw acid on her. Rekha, who was with her in-laws in Uttar Pradesh's Saharanpur at the time of the incident, later returned to live with her parents in Dehradun. She also brought along her son, who is now in class 12.
Read: ETV Bharat Impact: Uttarakhand govt offers job to Hansi, assures more govt help
The previous Harish Rawat government had announced financial assistance to Rekha, but she is yet to receive any money. Though Rekha was later provided with a job earlier this year during the BJP rule, she has now been fired.
Rekha managed to survive with earnings
In a conversation with ETV Bharat, Rekha said that she had joined duty on January 30. However, she was not aware that the job promised to her by the state government would be given through outsourcing.
Rekha said that she was paid her salary only for the first two months of the job. Since then, she has not been paid for her services until September 15.
Rekha, who lives in a tiny rented room with her son, said due to the increasing expenses, she has neither been able to pay rent nor has she deposited the fees of her son's school for the last three months.
Read: ETV Bharat Impact: Uttarakhand leaders extend help to Hansi Prahari
The survivor said that though she was somehow managing to make her ends meet with the job, she is now struggling for survival after losing it.
Appeal for help from the government
Rekha said that even though the minister is well aware that she lost her job, the government is yet to come to her aid. The state government talks about providing acid attack victims with jobs and financial assistance, but taking away my job after appointment is sheer injustice, Rekha said.
Rekha said that though Women Welfare Minister Rekha Arya had recently contacted all the acid attack survivors of the state through video conferencing and inquired about their well being, she has not been contacted by the Minister so far. Rekha has made an appeal seeking help from Minister Rekha Arya through ETV Bharat.
Redressal scheme for women was approved in the state
Pertinently, the Trivendra Rawat government in Uttarakhand had adopted the decision of the Supreme Court to provide financial assistance to victims. On the lines of the order of the Supreme Court, the Uttarakhand 'Redressal Scheme 2020 for women suffering from sexual offences and other crimes' has been implemented in the state to provide financial support to women who have been victims of sexual offences and other crimes.
Read: Anti-triple talaq crusader Shayara Bano gets minister rank in Uttarakhand
