The Telangana Victim Compensation Scheme (TVCS,) introduced by the Telangana Government in 2016, benefited as many as 27 victims in the past 3 years (2016-2019.)
The beneficiaries of the scheme include victims of acid attacks and sexual assaults in Telangana.
In total, the Telangana State Legal Services Authority (TSLSA) gave Rs. 46.50 lakhs as compensation amount to the victims. According to G.V. Subrahmanyam, the Member Secretary of the TSLSA, the victims covered under the scheme include 9 from Mahbubnagar, 5 from Adilabad, 4 each from Ranga Reddy and Nizamabad and 2 from Khammam. The TSLSA gives compensation to victims after the approval of the City Civil Court under Section 357 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC.)
After the Court refers the victims to the TSLSA for a payment of compensation, the Authority gives an amount ranging from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 3 lakhs. While the TSLSA works on the recommendations of the Court, the Civil Court considers the compensation to be given after the accused is punished and the final verdict is given in any kind of sexual harassment case.
Speaking about the process, the Court refers the matter to the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA,) which later consults with the TSLSA about the compensation.
So far, 27 victims were given compensation after the court hearings, for the trauma, physical and mental disturbance caused to them.
