MANU/PIBU/0350/2019

Department/Board : Press Information Bureau

Date : 19.02.2019

Panic Button becomes available to women with launch of ERSS and pan-India Emergency number 112

Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) and Safe City Implementation Monitoring Portal also launched Rs. 78.86 crores announced to strengthen DNA analysis capacities of four State Forensic Science laboratories for speedy investigation of rape cases

The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Maneka Sanjay Gandhi here today jointly launched 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, Shri Rajnath Singh said launch of ERSS is a "milestone in women safety in the country."

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

Home Minister, welcoming the joint effort of Ministries of WCD and MHA in preparation and launch of these women safety initiatives, called on the States for effective implementation of these initiatives to make them a success. He cited various initiatives of MHA towards improving women safety after creation of Women Safety Division in MHA.

Highlighting the importance of ERSS, he said that very soon it will be implemented across the whole country. 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. He also congratulated the agencies and volunteers for their contribution in making it a successful campaign of enhancing the ecosystem of women safety in the country.

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). He said that this effort will help in speedy investigation of rape cases.

Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Menaka Sanjay Gandhi appreciated the support of Home Ministry in preparing these women safety projects. She thanked Shri Rajnath Singh for sanctioning funds to strengthen six Forensic Science Laboratories for quick investigation in rape cases and sought provision of investigation kits at eve........