Hyderabad: Nearly one-and-a-half years have passed since the family of a gangrape victim, a minor girl from Nizamabad, began running around government offices for a rehabilitation package. Their efforts have been in vain.
The 15-year-old girl from Ergatla village of Mortad mandal in Nizamabad district, was repeatedly raped and confined by five men on December 5, 2013.
Since the time the family reported the case, they have been facing stigma in their village. They were even displaced from the village and had to be sent back with security.
“It is very clear that the family can’t continue living there, but as they are extremely poor they need help,” said Abid Rasool Khan, chairman of the State Minorities Commission, adding that the file remains with the government despite petitions.
In yet another correspondence in May this year, D. Ronald Rose, district collector and magistrate of Nizamabad, had requested minorities welfare department to sanction ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh.
Correspondence has been going on between the district collector’s office and the MWD without any progress.
Minority welfare department director M.J. Akbar had replied on November 27, 2014, that there were no such rules for ex gratia or rehabilitation for minorities in the state.
Mr Rasool Khan said, “Sportspersons like Sania Mirza received help from the MWD earlier. The department can re-appropriate the grant under any head and grant relief. A good part of the budget goes unused and this is a genuine case of a family being displaced.”
“It is wrong to say there are no provisions. The delay was due to the bifurcation and the file is under circulation. We will ensure that relief is given in some way,” said Syed Omar Jaleel, special secretary, MWD.
