NCW’s “Framework” seeks to address health care, legal justice, recovery, financial security and long-term socioeconomic inclusion for acid attack survivors across the country.
The committee has forwarded these 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 and has sought prompt action.
Some of the key recommendations range from notifying and uniformly implementing a mandatory “Golden Moment Protocol” across all government and private hospitals to ensure immediate medical intervention within the first 60 minutes of corrosive injury, to free, lifelong healthcare and a customized Ayushman Bharat package covering repeat and staged reconstructive surgeries.
On the legal front, the committee called for a speedy investigation and trial mechanism in acid attack cases with a fixed timetable. It recommended the appointment of dedicated legal officers to assist survivors at the district level.
The recommendations call for streamlined FIR registration procedures, including mandatory zero FIRs and stringent and exemplary penalties for conduct to act as a deterrent. Direct online compensation related to FIR registration is also among the recommendations.
The NCW also noted the need for a unified national compensation framework applicable to all states and union territories; time-bound payment of compensation (interim relief within 7-15 days) and inclusion of forced acid ingestion cases in the compensation scheme.
On the regulation of acid sales, the Commission requires strict control and licensing of acid sales at the production, wholesale and retail levels. There are calls for regular audits and inspections of acid sales and storage, and for a clear distinction between industrial and other uses of acid.
Other recommendations include amending the Poisons Act 1919, strengthening enforcement and forcing acid suppliers to keep records and reports.
The NCW draws attention to the need to focus on psychosocial and mental health support, recommending that governments include family counseling and carer support as an integral part of recovery and that psychosocial rehabilitation be included in all survivor benefit plans.