Union women and child development minister Annpurna Devi has responded to Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s request for a stringent central law to protect women by saying that the existing laws are enough.

On Mamata’s request for fast-track special courts (FTSCs) to try crimes against women, Devi underlined that Bengal was yet to open 11 of the 17 fast-track courts sanctioned for the state under a centrally funded scheme.

Listing the penal provisions against sexual offences, the BJP minister said in her letter to Mamata on Sunday: "As regards, stringent central legislation, it is stated that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, implemented throughout the nation from 1st July, 2024, comprehensively addresses the issues of crimes against women by providing stringent punishments...."

The call for a new law to protect doctors has been one of the demands of those protesting against the R.G. Kar rape and murder case.

Devi added: “As regards Fast Track Special Courts, it is stated that for expeditious trial and disposal of pending cases pertaining to Rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, in a time bound manner, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (60:40 sharing basis) i.e. Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) scheme was launched in October 2019….

“Under the revised target, West Bengal has been allocated 17 FTSCs, of which only 6 exclusive POCSO Courts have been operationalised as of 30.06.2024. In spite of a pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the State Government has not taken any steps to start the remaining 11 FTSCs.”

The minister also said: “Women Helpline (WHL) 181, Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) -112, Child Helpline 1098, Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 have been put in place in the last few years…. But, unfortunately the people of the State of West Bengal cannot utilise this facility as the State Government has not implemented the WHL despite many requests and reminders from Gol.”

She added: “You would appreciate that the existing legislative framework is stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women. However, you would agree that effective implementation of these provisions of law as well as various initiatives of the Central Government for women's safety falls in the ambit of the State Government.”