CHANDIGARH: The
Haryana government announced on Thursday that driving and arms licences of those accused in
rape and sexual harassment cases would be suspended and they would also be barred from receiving old-age pensions and pensions for the physically disabled.
The only thing they would be entitled to would be rations from a fair price shop, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said at a function on women’s empowerment in
Panchkula. This decision comes after the government proposed the death penalty for those convicted of rape and murder of a minor girl below the age of 12 years.
These services will remain suspended till a court announces its verdict in the case. In case the accused is convicted and sentenced, he would not be eligible for these facilities anymore, Khattar said.
Khattar also announced that a comprehensive scheme for the safety and security of women would be launched either on Independence Day or on Raksha Bandhan on August 26. He said if a rape survivor wanted to hire a lawyer of her choice, apart from the one provided by the state government, she would be provided financial assistance of Rs 22,000 towards fees.
Provisions would be made in all police stations for the uninterrupted investigation of rape and eve-teasing cases.
The only thing the accused would be entitled to would be rations from a fair price shop, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar said
