Shillong, March 22: The government today said efforts would be made to counsel rape victims so that they can avail the financial and legal help being provided by it.

Replying to a question by NCP leader Conrad Sangma, social welfare minister John Anthony Lyngdoh told the state Assembly that in line with the Centre’s new scheme of providing financial assistance and support services to rape victims, the state government has constituted the State Criminal Injuries Relief and Rehabilitation Board with senior officials both at the state and the district level.

According to the compensation scheme, the government has announced that a rape victim will get Rs 50,000, while those victims who sustain physical injury and trauma would receive Rs 25,000.

Replying to a question by Manas Chaudhuri (Independent), the minister said in case of death of a rape victim, the legal heir will get Rs 1 lakh.

To a supplementary question, Lyngdoh said after the decision of the government recently, no victim has turned up to claim the compensation.

The minister said the intention to disburse compensation was aimed at getting counselling and legal aid so that the victims could lead a normal life.

Conrad, however, pointed out that because of the stigma and mental agony, many victims were unable to come in person to claim the compensation and the solution is to create more awareness programmes by the government.

“It is shocking to hear that no victim has approached the government for compensation. There is a need to sensitise the people, especially in the rural areas about the benefits of the scheme,” he added.

NCP leader James Sangma said the government should be proactive in coming forward and helping the victims to get the assistance, as the trauma caused by rape prevents them from approaching the government directly.

The minister said the government with Meghalaya Sta-te Women’s Commission was trying to create awareness.