By Sneha Chakraborty

Executive Summary

The Manodhairya Scheme was launched by the Maharashtra government in 2013 with the aim of providing economic rehabilitation to the survivors of rape, acid attack and child sexual abuse. As a part of the directives issued by the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court, this scheme was launched to ensure that victim compensation in case of such heinous crimes is carried out justly. It holds the state responsible for ensuring that the victims are provided with sufficient economic resources to access the support they may require. Even as the scheme was lauded for its rehabilitative approach, there has been severe bureaucratic delays with delays in fund disbursement and limited awareness of individuals on how and who to approach for the scheme.

Background

The country is plagued with serious concerns for the safety of women and other gender minorities as news of violence and disruptions have become the mainstay. As the Supreme Court was overlooking the Nirbhaya case, the news regarding the Shakti Mill gangrape case in Mumbai broke out. After deliberations carried out by the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court, directives were issued that victims and survivors of such crimes should be compensated so that they are able to access any form of rehabilitative needs, which might be necessary. Thus, the Maharashtra Cabinet had approved of this scheme with the intention that it would provide not only monetary relief, but also any form of legal, medical and counselling aid that the victim would require.

Nuances of the Scheme

1. The Maharashtra Government has two schemes for victim compensation, namely the Maharashtra Victim Compensation Scheme and the Manodhairya Scheme. The difference between the two is that the former requires directives to be issued by the court before monetary aid can be provided, while for Manodhairya no such directive is required. The scheme is eligible for:
   • victims of Rape under the Sections of 375 and Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code,
   • victims of POCSO Act,
   • acid attack and
   • those rescued under Immoral Traffic Prevention Act (ITPA), those who are below 18 years of age.

2. The victims are obligated to receive amounts ranging between two to three lakhs, but can also get up to INR 10 Lakhs. The victim receives 25% of the specified amount immediately, while the other 75% gets deposited in a Nationalized bank. The other half of the money earns interest, while being in the bank and the victim has the right to that money and the entire interest acquired. If the survivor is below eighteen years old, then the money gets transferred to the account holder of their legal guardian.
3. A District Board for Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation has been constituted at the District level to oversee all the matters regarding the implementation of the scheme. As victims of POCSO and ITPA are beneficiaries of the scheme, the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) are also often involved in the efficient implementation of the scheme.
4. The Constitution of India has laid out the rights of the accused in forms of the Fundamental Rights. Justice Malimath Committee Report, which was published in 2003 came out with instructions regarding the rights of the victims to monetary compensation and support they may require in the form of medical or legal aid. The 154th Law Compensation Report of 1996 also recorded that providing immediate support to the victim and in some cases even to the family members is an essential part of the rehabilitation process. Victim compensation is an obligation on the part of the state to provide aid to the survivor so that they are able to find avenues to rebuild their life. The Manodhairya Scheme can also be availed for foreign nationals if they have faced any kind of violation within the boundaries of Maharashtra. Thus, a major importance of the scheme is that complying with the constitution the state becomes a major stakeholder in ensuring that both justice and rehabilitation is carried out effectively and swiftly.

What Has the Scheme Achieved So Far?

• From the information recorded in the Economic Survey by the Women and Child Welfare Department of Maharashtra, 2657 victims have benefitted from the scheme till March 2016.
• Even as the number of beneficiaries here seem huge, the number of victims who end up not receiving any monetary aid is equally staggering. According to a report published by the Policy Perspective Foundation, out of the 7,934 applications from victims of rape, the authorities had accepted only 1, 144 for compensation. The report was further supplemented by the data from National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), which states that Maharashtra ranks fourth in rape cases amongst the states in the country.
• The information received from the Women and Child Welfare Department through the Right to Information (RTI) data in 2017 has shown how in Nagpur, Mumbai and Sangli amongst the total number of compensation cases filed only 84.76%, 56.1% and 78.1% cases only have received compensation from the state.

Key Issues

1. Bureaucratic Delays and Disbursement Challenges
Despite clear compensation guidelines, survivors often face lengthy administrative processes, resulting in delayed fund disbursement and additional distress. Stringent verification, procedural bottlenecks, and limited staff capacity undermine accessibility and timeliness of support, forcing victims to rely on intermediaries or external help for navigation.

2. Low Awareness and Information Gaps
Significant numbers of eligible victims remain unaware of their entitlements under the scheme or the application process due to poor information dissemination, language barriers, and lack of outreach initiatives. Many are unsure whom to approach or how to initiate claims, which restricts uptake—especially in marginalized, rural, and disadvantaged sectors.

3. Limited Psychosocial and Livelihood Support
While the scheme provides economic relief, psychosocial and livelihood support remains insufficiently integrated. Trauma counseling, vocational training, and long-term rehabilitation through community-based support are underdeveloped, leaving survivors at risk for persistent psychological distress or economic instability after initial compensation.

4. Regional and Implementation Disparities
Data shows marked disparities in compensation delivery across districts—Nagpur, Mumbai, and Sangli saw substantially different approval rates for filed claims, highlighting performance gaps based on geography and local administration efficacy. Structural inequalities persist, with victims in some regions faring better than others, undermining the universal intent of the scheme.

Key Recommendations

1. Streamline Fund Disbursement Processes
Simplify and standardize administrative procedures by digitizing claims, automating document verification, and maintaining transparent tracking of applications to minimize delays and reduce bureaucratic ambiguity. Recruiting additional staff and establishing clear service timelines can further improve promptness in compensation delivery.

2. Expand Awareness Campaigns and Outreach
Launch multi-pronged information campaigns using grassroots organizations, health workers, and social media in multiple languages to ensure victims know their rights and how to apply. Target rural, tribal, and underserved urban localities to bolster inclusivity, and collaborate with legal aid centers for survivor support during the application process.

3. Integrate Holistic Rehabilitation and Support Services
Enrich the scheme’s psychosocial component by actively linking survivors to counseling, mental health care, vocational training, and legal assistance beyond monetary aid. Establish survivor support networks at the district and community level, with regular follow-ups to assess recovery and reintegration progress.

4. Address Regional Imbalances and Monitor Outcomes
Conduct periodic audits of district-level implementation, employing data-driven evaluations to identify bottlenecks and disparities in scheme execution. Develop incentive structures for high-performing districts, and provide remedial training or resources to regions with low approval rates or delayed compensation.

5. Strengthen Interagency Coordination
Facilitate structured collaboration between the Women and Child Welfare Department, CWC, DCPU, law enforcement, and NGOs to extend comprehensive support to survivors. Regular interdepartmental meetings and shared databases can streamline case management and encourage knowledge sharing for future policy improvement.

The Manodhairya Scheme is a progressive initiative that acknowledges survivors’ right to dignity and rehabilitation beyond legal justice. While it has provided crucial financial aid, its long-term success depends on faster implementation, stronger psychosocial support, and survivor-centered delivery mechanisms. One of the major highlights of this scheme is the inclusion of compensation to be provided to girls, who are below the age of eighteen. Even as economic rehabilitation is a necessary element for the survivor, efforts should also be made for the creation of psychological and livelihood support for better future rehabilitation plans for the victims.

References:

• https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/mumbai/manodhairya-a-landmark-scheme-with-flawed-execution/article18962091.ece
• https://www.bureaucratsindia.in/public/index.php/news/public-affairs/manodhairya-scheme-evaluating-effectiveness-and-addressing-challenges
• https://www.viplafoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Manodhariya-Scheme-Handbook.pdf

Bio:

Sneha Chakraborty is a student, who is currently pursuing her Masters in Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Sciences. Her research interests lie in gender, climate change and livelihood.