Gairsain: Many important decisions were taken in the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami yesterday. Separate policies will be made for the three categories, especially to increase the means of employment of women, youth and ex-servicemen, skill development, to provide jobs in government and private institutions. Apart from this, Uttarakhand Crime Victim Assistance (Amendment) Scheme was approved.
Cabinet meeting Arrangements will be made for training for youth on issues like competitive examinations like government services, NEET, nursing, foreign languages and artificial intelligence. Along with this, youth will be given a platform on a large scale by organizing Yuva Mahotsav and Rozgar Melas.
Apart from this, ITI, Polytechnic and School will work in mutual coordination to promote vocational education. Short-term, medium-term and long-term plans will be worked out to connect the youth with employment.
Schemes like beekeeping, apple mission and horticulture will be started in Uttarakhand to connect women and youth with self-employment. In the initial phase, 200 people will be trained in every block, so that self-employment opportunities can be increased.
Voluntary Consolidation Scheme to be started in Uttarakhand: It has also been decided to start Voluntary Consolidation Scheme in Uttarakhand. Along with this, an MoU has been done between the Department of Agriculture and ITBP. Which will ensure the purchase of local products like fruits, vegetables along with milk.
MoUs will also be done with SSB and other central agencies to promote local products. There will also be a provision of market linkage in the private sector through the Department of Industries. Which will strengthen the livelihood and economy of the local people.
It has also been decided to provide employment and self-employment to ex-servicemen through Upanal. They will be linked to government schemes and work will be done towards connecting them to services in different institutions on the basis of their qualifications.
Uttarakhand Sakshi Sanrakshan Yojana 2025: At the same time, the Dhami cabinet has also approved the Uttarakhand Sakshi Sanrakshan Yojana 2025. Its objective is to provide a safe environment to witnesses to testify freely and honestly in court by keeping them free from fear, pressure or revenge.
The witness protection scheme will have arrangements like confidentiality of identity, change of location, change of contact details, physical security and financial assistance. A committee of judiciary, police and senior officials will ensure security in a timely manner.
Apart from this, the Dhami government has now clarified the situation in minors also regarding the assistance given to women in case of crime against women.
“Till now the situation was not clear in the case of minor boys and girls regarding the help given to women in case of women harassment. On which the government has clarified that this help will be given to everyone. Be it a minor boy or girl. In many cases, there was confusion about this.” – Shailesh Bagauli, Home Secretary
Apart from this, the Uttarakhand Crime Victim Assistance (Amendment) Scheme 2025 has also been amended and approved in the cabinet meeting held in Gairsain. Under this, minimum and maximum compensation amount will be fixed for POCSO victims. So that, they can get help in a timely and effective manner.
The Uttarakhand Crime Victim Assistance Scheme 2025 has given priority to the protection of children suffering from crime. Under which, the Crime Victim Assistance/Compensation Scheme, which has been running since 2013, has been revised again in 2025. Now timely and effective financial assistance will be provided to the victim children under the POCSO Act 2012.
The purpose of this revised scheme is to ensure that children affected by sexual crimes can get justifiable support soon. Apart from this, the limit of assistance amount has also been clearly determined. So that, relief can reach the victim children in compliance with the orders of the court.
Uttarakhand Crime Victim Assistance (Amendment) Scheme 2025: Uttarakhand Home Secretary Shailesh Bagauli said that as per the Uttarakhand Crime Victim Assistance Scheme 2013, separate orders have been passed by the POCSO Court for payment of compensation to the victims under the Protection of Minors from Sexual Offences Act 2012 i.e. POCSO Act.
Due to the absence of any clear provision for POCSO victims in the current scheme, the department was facing practical difficulties. To resolve these difficulties and to comply with the orders of the court, Uttarakhand Crime Victim Assistance (Amendment) Scheme 2025 has been introduced by amending the scheme.
Assistance amount to victim children: Under the new system, financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh to 7 lakh in penetrative sexual assault (Section 4), Rs 1 lakh to 7 lakh in severe penetrative sexual assault (Section 6), Rs 50 thousand to 1 lakh in sexual assault (Section 7) will be given to the victim children depending on the nature of the crime.
Apart from this, financial assistance of Rs 50 thousand to 2 lakh in severe sexual assault (Section 9), Rs 20 thousand to 1 lakh in sexual harassment (Section 11) and Rs 50 thousand to 1 lakh in use of child for pornographic purposes (Section 14) will be given by the government.
At the same time, children below 18 years of age are already protected under this scheme under the POCSO Act 2012. This revised scheme will provide quick, fair and adequate financial assistance to children affected by crime.
