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The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Central Government to file a status report regarding the implementation of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act. Noting that the budget constraints for effective implementation of the provisions of the Act have surfaced, Court directed the Central Government to file a status report within 2 weeks.

Passing the order, the bench of Justice UU Lalit, Justice S Ravindra Bhat and Justice PS Narasimha said, "This is unsolicited advice, whenever you come up with such an enactment the monetary aspect has to be kept in mind, Right to Education is an appropriate example, the Act was made, but where are the school, how are you going to arrange the teachers? Many of them are getting Rs. 5000 only (in remuneration), all this has to be seen."

The bench was hearing a petition filed by an NGO, We the Women of India, seeking direction for strict compliance of the provisions of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act while providing assistance to the complaining women.

The Additional Solicitor General, Aishwarya Bhati, submitted, "One Joint Secretary is here, Mr. Dheeraj Kumar Tiwari, he is the statistical advisor. However, Dr. Rakesh Gupta, who has been really dealing with this matter and with whom a lot of progress has happened, cannot appear today as he has some medical issues."

Further, the bench objected to a revenue officer having been appointed to work as a protection officer and said, "It is a specialized job, it needs different training, somebody who is a revenue officer is doubling as a protection officer."

Furthermore, Advocate Shobha Gupta appearing for the NGO submitted that the shelter homes are necessary and are an essential part of the Domestic Violence Act. To which, the bench stated, "First you'll have to get the data of reporting, then develop statistics on how many cadres are required and look at the funding requirement, then look at how many shelter homes are required."

Cause Title: We the Women of India Vs. Union of India & Ors.