The scheme “Gaura Shakti Yojana” is implemented by the Police Department under the Department of Home, Government of Uttarakhand. The objective of the scheme is to prevent crimes against women and girls and to ensure prompt action in case of any incident. Under this, a three-tier support system has been established in the state, comprising Mahila Desks at the police station level, Women Safety Helpline and Women Counselling Cells at the district level, and the State Women Safety Helpline at the state level. Under this scheme, efforts are being made to structurally strengthen the three-tier system, enhance transparency in functioning, create awareness among women and girls about their rights, and provide them training in self-defence. Additionally, the responsibilities of police officers have been clearly defined at every level to ensure effective implementation.

Benefits

Under this Scheme, the following steps have been taken by Uttarakhand Police to prevent crimes against women and ensure women’s safety:

• A Quick Reaction Team (QRT) has been formed under the Women Help Desk at every police station. On receiving a complaint related to women at the police station, the QRT immediately reaches the spot and acts as the first responder, providing all possible assistance to the victim.
• Identification of Hot Spots and sensitive areas with regard to crimes against women is being carried out. CCTV cameras/lights are being installed in such Hot Spots, and their regular monitoring is ensured.
• Regular patrolling by Cheetah, Mahila Cheetah, and CPU teams is conducted during the opening and closing hours of schools, colleges, and coaching institutes.
• A team comprising Women Help Desk In-charges and four constables, named “Team Gaura”, has been constituted. The team regularly organizes awareness programmes to educate students on safety, drugs, traffic rules, cybercrime, etc.
• To strengthen this initiative, about 3,000 awareness booklets have been distributed to districts from the headquarters.
• From 20th to 22nd February 2023, a total of 35 women personnel appointed to Team Gaura from all districts were provided Self-Defense Instructor Course (Level-I) training. In continuation, the process of providing Level-II training to these personnel is underway. These trained women police personnel are regularly conducting training programmes in schools, colleges, and other institutions across districts to teach self-defense techniques to girl students.

Eligibility

Women and girls of the state are eligible to receive assistance under this scheme.

Application Process

Offline

In view of the safety of women and the prompt redressal of their complaints, the “Gaura Shakti Module” has been developed under the Uttarakhand Police App. After registration, the registrant remains in direct one-to-one contact with the designated Women Police Officer of the concerned police station. For effective implementation, a detailed SOP has been prepared, and all concerned officials have been trained at the headquarters level. In addition, a separate mobile number has been allotted to the in-charges of Women Help Desks in all police stations. Through this app, women can also easily register complaints online.

To ensure 24×7 accessibility, the Police Department has made the following platforms available for reporting crimes against women/girls or for registering complaints:

• Dial 112 – with trained female police personnel available round-the-clock.
• WhatsApp number at Police Headquarters – 9411112780
• “Women Help Desk” at every police station.
• Uttarakhand Police App – “Gaura Shakti Module” / SOS feature
• Police station / outpost

With the objective of making every police station in the state more women-friendly, at least one Woman Sub-Inspector and four Women Constables have been deployed at each police station. The Uttarakhand Police also ensures payment of compensation amounts as per rules under the Crime Victim Assistance Scheme, 2013. Further, the Uttarakhand Sexual Crime and Other Crimes Victim/Survivor Women Compensation Scheme, 2020 has been implemented for women victims. All concerned officials have been directed to assist crime victims in obtaining compensation under both schemes and to coordinate with the concerned departments as required.

Keeping in mind the sensitivity of cases involving women, investigations of sexual crimes against women are conducted exclusively by Women Officers. To ensure quality investigations, a booklet containing detailed SOPs and instructions has been issued by the headquarters and distributed to all women investigators. For scientific evidence collection in such cases, Sexual Assault Evidence Collection (SAEC) Kits are being provided to districts as needed. Cases registered under POCSO and rape are being disposed of within the prescribed timelines. According to the ITSSO Portal, Uttarakhand ranks third at the national level in the timely disposal of such cases within two months. Under the provisions of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, a Special Juvenile Police Unit (SJPU) has been constituted in each district under the chairmanship of the Senior Superintendent of Police. Additionally, a Child Welfare Police Officer (CWPO) has been appointed at every police station. Child-friendly police stations have also been established in every district.

Documents Required

1. Identity proof
2. Other documents as required