State minister for women and child welfare Varsha Gaikwad has become a major embarrassment for the government as even a week after she assured financial assistance for an acid attack victim, no aid has been forthcoming.
On October 19, a 17-year-old girl was injured when a friend tried to force acid down her throat after a tiff in Gorai. The girl was rescued by passers-by.
The girl’s family spent Rs2.35 lakh on her treatment at Tunga hospital in Mira Road for 12 days.
When they could not manage the mounting medical bills, she was taken home against medical advice.
The family has taken a loan of Rs1 lakh against the mother’s mangalsutra and other valuables.
They have also borrowed from relatives and friends. On Friday, she was readmitted for a breathing problem.
An application by the family for assistance from the government was rejected by the department for women and child welfare on the grounds that it did not have funds.
A week ago, minister Gaikwad herself had told dna that she would arrange for financial aid within “a couple of days” under the government’s newly launched Manodhairya Yojana.
When contacted, Gaikwad said that even though the scheme was announced more than a month ago, funds had not been allocated for it. “I am in the process of taking necessary approval from deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar, who is in charge of the finance portfolio,” she said.
The scheme promises up to Rs3 lakh towards medical and legal expenses for victims of sexual assaults and acid attacks. But the girl has not received any money yet and it is not clear how many days more it would take to get the clearance.
The girl’s uncle, Ashok Kalgutkar, said, “She is unable to speak or eat solid food. The doctors are doing their best, but shortage of funds is a major constraint. We are waiting for help from the government.”
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