Centre rebukes CM Mamata over 'rising rape cases' letter; says "Bengal failed..."

The BJP-led NDA government has expressed strong disapproval of the West Bengal government's handling of critical safety measures for women and children. Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi highlighted the state's shortcomings in a pointed letter addressed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Annapurna Devi criticized the state for failing to establish the remaining 11 fast-track special courts (FTSCs), despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases. "As of 30.06.2024, 752 FTSCs, including 409 exclusive POCSO Courts, are operational in 30 States/UTs and have disposed of over 2,53,000 cases since the inception of the scheme," the minister noted. "West Bengal was allocated a total of 123 FTSCs, but none of these courts had been operationalized until mid-June 2023."

The minister's letter emphasized that West Bengal had committed to starting only 7 FTSCs but has operationalized just 6 exclusive POCSO Courts as of June 2024. "Despite the urgent need, the state government has not taken steps to operationalize the remaining 11 FTSCs," the letter stated.

Additionally, the Union minister criticized West Bengal for not implementing key emergency helplines, including the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), and Child Helpline. Annapurna Devi underscored the importance of these helplines as first responders during critical situations but noted that the state's inaction has left its residents without access to these essential services.

This sharp rebuke from the central government comes in response to Mamata Banerjee's recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where she called for stringent central legislation to punish rapists. The Trinamool Congress leader had cited alarming national data, indicating that 90 rape cases occur daily across India, with many victims also being murdered.