The government on Thursday informed the Kerala High Court that there was no diversion of any amount from the flood relief fund for the promotion and formation of women’s wall.
The government, in a statement, said it had earmarked ₹50 crore in the budget for various schemes aimed at preventing atrocities against women. The women’s wall was planned to expose all anti-women activities involving a massive campaign. In fact, the government had a year ago announced that it would conduct ideological campaigns for the purpose. The women’s wall was one such major campaign of the government implemented through its newly created Women and Child Development Department.
The last quarter of the financial year was nearing and it was necessary to implement the programmes announced in the budget before the financial year ended. It was just like any other programme being conducted under the patronage or funding of the government. The women’s wall should be considered as a campaign or event of the government for empowerment of women and to bridge gender inequality. All allegations of fund diversion from the other projects were incorrect and baseless.
When the petitions alleging diversion of money from the flood relief fund came up for hearing, a Division Bench headed by Chief Justice Hrishikesh Roy pointed out that the government had to prioritise its programmes and reallocate budgetary support when it came to unforeseen events such as floods. The court directed the government to file an affidavit giving details of expenses incurred for the women’s wall and also the utilisation of budgetary support for women empowerment schemes.
