Question : PREVENTION OF WITCH CRAFT

(a) the details of the schemes/ programmes being implemented by the Government for prevention of Witch Craft along with the funds sanctioned and expenditure incurred in this regard during each of the last three years, State/ UT-wise;

(b) whether the Government has any data regarding the number of Witch Craft incidents in the country during the said period and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise;

(c) whether the Government has formulated/proposes to formulate any policy for checking Witch Craft incidents in the country and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the details of the rehabilitation measures including treatment and counseling in this regard along with the number of GOs/NGOs involved therein and the grants provided to them during the said period, State/UT-wise?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) & (b): As per the seventh schedule, `police” and “public order” are the State subjects under the Constitution and as such the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes including witch craft lies with the State Government/Union Territory Administrations.However,harassment/torture/murder etc. which are associated with the witchcraft are already punishable crimes under Indian Penal Code (IPC). As per the provisional data of the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), the State/UT wise details of total number of cases registered under murder and culpable homicide not amounting to murder under the motive/cause of witchcraft during the last three years is annexed.

(c) & (d): In order to combat the menace of Witch Craft, National Commission for Women (NCW) conducts seminars and workshops from time to time to create awareness on the problem and suggesting measures to rehabilitate the hapless women and discourage such practices.