Mumbai: The state came in for criticism again for its “insensitive attitude” in framing the compensation scheme for rape victims — this time over a proposal for different levels of monetary help to be paid in case the victim was a homemaker or a working woman.

Under a provision of the Manodhairya scheme, legal heirs of a working woman who was raped and murdered would get Rs 10 lakh compensation while Rs 5 lakh would be paid to her family if the victim was a homemaker.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice Mahesh Sonak rapped the state for the blatant discrimination between a working and non-working woman and remarked that “services of a homemaker could not be valued in money”.

Following criticism, state advocate general Ashutosh Kumbhakoni said the amount would be raised to Rs 10 lakh in all cases. The state framed the scheme in 2013 for compensation of up to Rs 3 lakh. The court said the amount was inadequate after which a panel drafted a new scheme.

The state legal services authority is authorised to receive applications for compensation. The authority can disburse Rs 30,000 in seven days of an application as emergency aid.

The decision on final compensation must be made in 120 days. The state said that in rape cases where the victim has turned hostile, the relief will be recovered after trial.

The court has scheduled further hearing of the case on Friday and asked the state to file an affidavit. TNN