NCW demands monthly pension schemes, unique disability category for acid attack survivors

The National Commission for Women (NCW), on Wednesday, urged the government to provide monthly pension schemes, create Unique Disability Identity (UDID) category and constitute a National Acid Attack Case Tracking Registry linking FIR, medical care, compensation and rehabilitation, for acid attack survivors.

In an extensive list of recommendations 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, the woman rights body outlined a holistic, survivor-centric framework to improve care, justice delivery and long-term rehabilitation for the survivors across the country.

Framed under the provisions of the NCW Act, 1990, the proposals aim to address gaps across medical treatment, legal processes, financial support and socio-economic inclusion.

The Commission has called for a "Golden Hour protocol" to ensure immediate and standardised emergency care across all hospitals, along with free, lifelong medical treatment, including reconstructive surgeries and assistive care.

It has also recommended district-level centres of excellence for burn care and dedicated hospital units to support survivors through treatment and follow-up.

It suggested mandatory Zero FIR registration - a facility that will enable a survivor to file a case in any part of the country irrespective of the location of the acid attack.

"The Commission wants deployment of dedicated legal officers, strengthening of legal provisions, including improved evidence protocols and expediting the Victims of Acid Attacks Bill, 2022," it said in a statement.

Underscoring the need for compensation and financial security of the survivors, the NCW suggested establishment of a uniform national compensation framework with time-bound disbursal; Direct Benefit Transfer linked to FIR registration; enhanced compensation based on severity; provision of monthly pensions; and transparent online grievance redressal mechanisms.

For livelihood and economic empowerment, it recommended promotion of skill development, digital literacy and support for entrepreneurship under government schemes for the survivors.

Besides recommending stronger regulation of acid sale through strict licensing, the rights body recommended the creation of a National Acid Attack Case Tracking Registry; integration of FIR, medical and compensation systems; development of real-time dashboards; and periodic public reporting to ensure transparency and accountability.

The NCW has stressed the need for continuous psychological support, including trauma-informed counselling, family assistance and peer-support programmes. It has also pushed for widespread sensitisation of police, judiciary, healthcare personnel and communities.

It also called for explicit recognition of acid attack survivors under the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016, including the creation of a dedicated disability category and streamlined access to welfare benefits.