New Delhi, July 13 : Union Minister Maneka Gandhi on Friday called upon all Chief Ministers to appoint adequate number of Protection Officers (POs) with independent charge to ensure effective implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), 2005.

The Women and Child Development Minister has written a letter to the Chief Ministers in this regard, so as to provide immediate protection and relief to the women facing violence within families, according to an official statement.

"It has come to my notice that in most states, officers of other departments are given this responsibility as an additional charge. Considering the practical situation of how feasible it is for a woman to come out of her home to register a complaint, it is important that we appoint more POs," the Minister said in the statement.

She also insists on making public details of the officers deputed for the duty, so that they can be easily accessed by the aggrieved women and has also requested that a separate budget be allocated for the smooth functioning of POs, providing support to survivors, capacity building for staff and for generating awareness.

Gandhi has further mentioned that for the convenience of women, Form IV of the Act, which enumerates the rights of the women, be translated into local languages.

"Every woman has the right to lead a life free from violence. I urge you to personally initiate action to prevent violence against women and ensure protection of the rights of women through effective implementation of the Act," Gandhi added.

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Raichur: A truck driver sustained serious injuries and died in a road accident in the taluk on Tuesday after his vehicle collided with a stationary truck near Mannikeri Camp on the outskirts of Javalagera.

The deceased driver, Amaresh Basavaraj, was travelling from Hospet to Raichur. Reportedly, he was driving at high speed and rammed into a parked truck carrying timber from Chikkamagaluru to Raichur.

Amaresh suffered severe head injuries, resulting in heavy bleeding, along with injuries to his stomach and knees. He was being taken to Sindhanur Taluk Hospital but reportedly died on the way near the Javalagera bus stand. The front of the truck he was driving was heavily damaged in the collision.

A case has been registered at Balagavoor Police Station, and Sub-Inspector Yariyappa Angadi is investigating the case.

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