Parliament Question: Women safety in Odisha

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2956 TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 18TH MARCH, 2026/ PHALGUNA 27, 1947 (SAKA) WOMEN SAFETY IN ODISHA 2956. SHRI MANAS RANJAN MANGARAJ: Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state: (a) the number of cases of crimes against women reported in Odisha during the last two years; (b) the details of Central schemes supporting women safety such as Nirbhaya Fund and 112 emergency response; and (c) the steps taken to strengthen women help desks, fast-track investigation and victim support in Odisha? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI BANDI SANJAY KUMAR) (a): National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) compiles statistical data on crimes as reported to it by the States/UTs and publishes the same in its annual publication “Crime in India”. The latest published report pertains to the year 2023. The number of Cases Registered under Crime against Women in Odisha during 2022 and 2023 is as follows. Year 2022 2023 Total No. of Cases registered 23648 25914-2- R.S.US.Q.NO. 2956 FOR 18.03.2026 (b): The Government of India has established a dedicated non-lapsable fund namely “Nirbhaya Fund” for providing funding to the Projects/Schemes specifically aimed for safety and security of women. Major Projects/Schemes under Nirbhaya Fund include, Emergency Response Support System (ERSS)-112, Setting-up/Strengthening Anti-Human Trafficking Units (AHTU), Setting-up/Strengthening Women Help Desk (WHDs), Cyber Forensic and related facilities in State Forensic Science Laboratories (SFSLs), universalization of Women Helpline (WHL)-181, State- wise Vehicle Tracking Platform (VTP), Training of Investigation Officers (IOs)/ Prosecution Officers (POs)/ Medical Officers (Mos) in forensic Evidence Collection and Setting up fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to dispose of cases pending trial under rape and POCSO Act. Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) is a nationwide, internationally recognized emergency response system based on the single number 112, providing police, fire, and medical assistance through multiple access modes, including calls, SMS, email, State/UT ERSS websites, and the 112 India mobile app etc. Further, the Central Government upgraded the existing system to ERSS 2.0, with effect from July 2024, (in Odisha, it was implemented w.e.f. 07.09.2024.) aimed at modernizing and strengthening the Emergency Response Centre with enhanced computing power, storage, security and network connectivity. The upgraded system has significantly-3- R.S.US.Q.NO. 2956 FOR 18.03.2026 strengthened the emergency response framework by increasing call- handling capacity via Data Centre augmentation, improving location accuracy through Emergency Location Service (ELS), and enhancing field response with MDT-enabled Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) equipped with GPS tracking, upgradation of the 112 India Mobile App & ERSS Website to enhance overall functionality & user experience. (c): ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The responsibility to maintain law and order, protection of life and property of the citizens and safety of women rests with the respective State Governments/ UT Administrations. State Governments/UT Administrations are competent to deal with such offences under the extant provisions of laws. However, Government of India is committed to ensure safety of women across the country and has taken a number of measures to support and supplement the efforts of State Government/UT Administrations: Ministry of Home Affairs has been providing financial assistance to States/UTs for setting up and strengthening of Women Help Desks (WHDs) in all Police Stations, in order to make police stations more approachable and women- friendly. States/UTs have been advised to ensure that these WHDs-4- R.S.US.Q.NO. 2956 FOR 18.03.2026 are ideally headed by women and personnel deployed therein should be trained and sensitized to effectively deal with crime against women. To facilitate expeditious and effective investigation, Ministry of Home Affairs has launched technological tools such as the Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO), National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO), and Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS). These platforms enable faster case monitoring, better coordination, and improved investigation by Law Enforcement Agencies of States/UTs. Further, Bureau of Police Research & Development (BPR&D) conducted 1,285 women’s safety courses, in which 34,239 investigators and prosecutors (29,860 IOs and 4,379 POs) were trained during the years 2018- 19 to 2025-26. The State Legal Services Authorities award compensation to the victims u/s 357/A Cr.P.C (Code of Criminal Procedure) /396 BNSS (Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita) as per the Victim Compensation Schemes of States/UTs. These schemes provide compensation by the State to the victims of crime. Under the Central Victim Compensation Fund Scheme, Ministry of Home Affairs released total ₹200 crore (Rs.10.60 Crore to the State of Odisha), in 2016–17 to States/UTs, as one-time financial assistance-5- R.S.US.Q.NO. 2956 FOR 18.03.2026 to support and supplement Victim Compensation Schemes (VCS) of States/UTs for providing financial support to victims of various crimes, especially women and children. Further, Ministry of Women & Child Development is implementing One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme across the country including Odisha. The objectives of the One Stop Centre Scheme are to provide integrated support and assistance to women affected by violence, both in private and public spaces under one roof and facilitate immediate, emergency and non- emergency access to a range of services including police, medical, legal aid, temporary shelter and counselling, psychological support to fight against any form of violence against women. The Universalisation of Women Helpline (WHL) Scheme is being implemented by Ministry of Women & Child Development with the aim to provide an immediate and 24-hour emergency and non-emergency response to women affected by violence across the country by referral service. Under the Scheme, a toll-free 24-hours telecom service through short code 181 is provided to women seeking support and information. Women Helpline has been integrated with the ERSS-112 helpline in most of the States/UTs including Odisha.-6- R.S.US.Q.NO. 2956 FOR 18.03.2026 Additionally, Ministry of Home Affairs has been issuing advisories to States/UTs from time to time, with a view to help the States/UTs to effectively deal with crimes against women including emphasis on expeditious and effective investigation and strengthening victim support services. These Advisories are available on Website of Ministry of Home Affairs, http://www.mha.gov.in. *****