Concern in Lok Sabha over rising rape incidents

NEW DELHI: Opposition members in the Lok Sabha today expressed concern over the rising rape incidents in the country in the last six months, with a Congress member saying Uber taxis were still plying in Delhi despite ban.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Sushmita Dev (Congress) said it was a matter of concern that the order to ban services of the US-based taxi operator in the city has not been enforced properly and demanded action against transport department and police officials.

Dev also pointed out that the Uber taxi driver, who had allegedly raped a woman who had hired the taxi through mobile app, had got forged documents. Action should be taken against transport department officials and police for this, she said.

"There should be zero tolerance for crimes against women ... Liberty for women should be not only in Constitution but also on roads," she said.

Laws for safety of women must be implemented on Delhi streets, she said, as several other MPs supported her.

Uber is at the centre of a storm following the alleged rape committed by the driver registered with it. Lawmakers have been raising the issue since Monday with the government assuring them that it would take strict measures to deal with the matter.

Jai Prakash Yadav (RJD) drew the government's attention to the rape of a girl hailing from Bihar in Punjab. He said that the girl died after she was set afire later.

Supported by the Left and the Samajwadi Party, he sought earnest efforts to check the rising incidents by streamlining law and order machinery.

Ravneet Singh Bittu (Cong) wanted the Centre to direct Punjab government, where BJP is a partner, to take strict action. BJP should otherwise withdraw support to the government, he said.

Dharmendra Yadav (SP) made a strong plea for carrying out a caste census to help know the status of backward classes.

He said that several commissions and committees, including the Mandal Commission, had favoured such a census, but nothing has been done on this score so far.