The National Commission for Women (NCW) has presented a detailed set of suggestions to key Central ministries, proposing a comprehensive approach to enhance care, justice delivery, and long-term rehabilitation for acid attack survivors nationwide. These recommendations, formulated after a roundtable consultation named “Navjeevan: A Consultation on Care, Justice & Dignity for Acid Attack Survivors,” held on January 16, have been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Women and Child Development, and Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Framed under the NCW Act, 1990, the proposals aim to bridge gaps in medical treatment, legal processes, financial aid, and socio-economic integration.
The NCW has proposed the implementation of a “Golden Hour Protocol” to ensure immediate and standardized emergency care in all hospitals, along with lifelong free medical treatment encompassing reconstructive surgeries and assistive care. Additionally, the commission has suggested the establishment of district-level centers of excellence for burn care and specialized hospital units to assist survivors throughout their treatment and follow-up. Recognizing the enduring trauma experienced by survivors, the NCW has emphasized the necessity of continuous psychological support, including trauma-informed counseling, family aid, and peer-support initiatives.
In the realm of legal procedures, the Commission has recommended expedited investigations and trials, simplified FIR processes with mandatory Zero FIRs, and the appointment of dedicated legal officers to aid survivors. It has also advocated for more stringent punitive measures and the swift enactment of the Victims of Acid Attacks Bill, 2022. To ensure financial stability, the NCW has proposed a uniform national compensation framework, timely relief disbursal, and monthly pension schemes, with direct benefit transfers linked to FIR registration and increased compensation based on injury severity.
The recommendations underscore the importance of livelihood and educational assistance, encompassing skill development, digital literacy, workplace inclusivity, and incentives for companies hiring survivors. The NCW has also stressed support for entrepreneurship under national schemes. Furthermore, the Commission has called for enhanced social acceptance and dignity, recommending national awareness campaigns and the incorporation of survivor stories in educational curricula and media representations.
Explicit recognition of acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, including the establishment of a dedicated disability category and streamlined access to welfare benefits, has been proposed. To prevent such atrocities, the NCW has suggested stricter regulation of acid sales, including licensing, audits, and mandatory record-keeping, alongside amendments to the Poison Act, 1919, for enhanced enforcement. The Commission has also put forth the idea of a national registry for acid attack cases, integrating FIRs, medical care, compensation, and rehabilitation, supported by real-time monitoring dashboards to enhance transparency and accountability.
The NCW has urged prompt action from all relevant ministries, emphasizing the need for a coordinated and time-bound approach to ensure survivors receive timely care, access to justice, and opportunities for a life of dignity and independence.
