State yet to release victim compensation fund

SHILLONG: The state government is yet to disburse compensation for various victims of rape and other crimes as per the victim compensation scheme.
The related PIL in this regard came up for hearing on Monday before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Mohammad Yaqoob Mir and Justice H S Thangkhiew.
The court observed that an affidavit filed by the Member Secretary, Meghalaya State Legal Services Authority on November 15 is suggestive of the fact that victim compensation fund has not been sanctioned.
“A number of applications is pending on behalf of the deserving persons for sanction of compensation,” the court said.
The advocate general has produced a copy of the order issued by the Political Department, which stated that Rs 50 lakh was sanctioned.
“Now, it shall be open for the Member Secretary to examine the cases and after proper approval to release the amount in favour of the deserving victims to the extent recommended by the authorities,” the court said.
The matter will come up for hearing after three weeks.