Parliament Watch: Criminal Law Reforms Committee, increase in domestic violence cases and more [Day 13 round up]

The thirteenth day of the ongoing 2021 Winter Session of Parliament saw responses on issues ranging from increase in domestic violence against women, constitution of the Criminal Law Reforms Committee, and more..A question was tabled before the Rajya Sabha by Aam Aadmi Party Member of Parliament Narain Dass Gupta on whether the Criminal Law Reforms Committee set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs at National Law University, Delhi is an all-male body without members from minorities.In his response, Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Ajay Kumar Mishra completely ignored the specifics of the composition of the Committee.The statement mentioned, “A Committee had been constituted under the Chairpersonship of the Vice Chancellor, NLU Delhi to suggest reforms in the Criminal laws. The Ministry of Home Affairs have also sought suggestions from Governors, Chief Ministers of States, Lieutenant Governors (LGs) and Administrators of Union Territories, Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, Hon’ble Chief Justices of various High Courts, Bar Council of India, Bar Council of various States and various Universities/ Law Institutes on comprehensive amendments in Criminal laws.”.A question was tabled by BJP MP Sonal Mansingh on the measures taken by the Central government to address the issues of Indian women who are victims of gender-based violence and the funds allocated for the same.Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Irani respondedthe One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme has been functional since April 2015 “to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence and in distress, both in private and public spaces, through a range of services including police facilitation, medical aid, legal aid and counseling, psychological support and temporary shelter in an integrated manner under one roof.”The statement further mentions that 733 OSCs have been approved, out of which 704 have been operationalized in 35 States/UTs (except in the State of West Bengal), which have assisted over 4.5 lakh women in the country till September 2021..A question was tabled before the Rajya Sabha by AAP MP Narain Dass Gupta on the details pertaining to increase in domestic violence cases against women.Smriti Irani responding to the question mentioned that the data shows a decrease in the incidence of domestic violence cases in 2021 as compared to 2020. The statement reads, “As informed by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), a total of 3582 number of cases of domestic violence between April, 2021 and June 2021 as against a total of 3748 number of cases between April, 2020 and June, 2020 were received.”Irani went on to mention that the Central government has also taken several measures to ensure the safety and security of women..A question was tabled before the Lok Sabha by BJP MP Jayant Sinha on the rate of disposal of cases under the Consumer Protection Act and the steps taken to protect consumer rights.The table below indicates the rate of disposal of the State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions and District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commissions.