Pan-India Emergency Number ‘112’ launched

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka  Sanjay Gandhi on February 19, 2019, jointly launched here the Women Safety initiative of Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) in 16 States/UTs and Mumbai city.

People in these states and UTs can now call a single pan India number 112 for any emergency. In addition, Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and Safe City Implementation Monitoring Portal were also launched. Speaking on the occasion, Rajnath said launch of ERSS is a “milestone in women safety in the country.”

The 16 States/UTs where the ERSS has been launched are : Andhra Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, UP, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Puducherry, Lakshadweep, Andaman, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, J&K.

Rajnath, welcoming the joint effort of Ministries of WCD and MHA in preparing and launching these women safety initiatives, called on the States for effective implementation of these initiatives to make them a success. He also called for continued coordination among the various oraganisations and officials engaged in operationalisation of these projects in Police, Judiciary, Civil Administration and the volunteers. He said, “ To improve the ecosystem of women safety in the country, we have to not only strengthen the Judicial System but also to change the mind-set of the society towards women”. 

Highlighting the importance of ERSS, Rajnath said that very soon it will be implemented across the whole country. He said that people need not remember multiple helpline numbers. One can dial 112 or use Panic Button on their phones or 112 India Mobile App to connect to a single emergency services number 112 which will combine Police, Fire, Health and other helplines through an Emergency Response Centre in the State.

The Union Home Minister also announced approval of Rs 78.76 crore for a special project under the Nirbhaya Fund for strengthening DNA analysis capacities in the State Forensic Science Laboratories of four States of Tamil Nadu (Chennai and Madurai), Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow and Agra), West Bengal (Kolkata) and Maharashtra ( Mumbai).

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Menaka Sanjay Gandhi appreciated the assistance of Home Ministry in preparing these women safety projects. She thanked Rajnath Singh for sanctioning funds to strengthen six Forensic Science Laboratories for quick investigation in rape cases and sought provision of investigation kits at every police station in the country specially at the One Stop Centres, according to a PIB release.