So much so that the state-level committee headed by Chief Minister Narendra Modi to review the progress on implementation of the much-touted policy has not met even once since the policy was first announced in October 2006, say sources in the state Women and Child Development department, the nodal agency for the implementation of the policy.

While announcing the policy, the government had directed various departments implementing the women-specific programmes, to draw up detailed area-wise action plans, and initiate measures to suitably change or amend the relevant provisions of existing Acts/Rules and government orders so as to achieve the goals set for its effective and speedy implementation.

“We had set a one-year deadline for each of the departments concerned to complete this task. Since most of these departments are still found lagging behind, we have no other option left but to extend the deadline. We’ll ensure that officials of these departments become more pro-active and finish the job entrusted to them under the policy,” said a senior official in the Women and Child Development Department.

Under the Nari Gaurav Niti, the government proposes to amend as many as 20 existing laws, including the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, Gujarat Municipal Finance Board Act, 1979, Gujarat Co-operative Societies Act, 1961, Gujarat Panchayat Act, Bombay Marriage Registration Act, 1954, Indian Evidence Act, and laws relating to domestic violence, rape and sexual harassment.

While the Revenue Department had been instructed to increase women's control over ownership of land and other properties, the Women and Child Development department was entrusted with the task of setting up a working women's hostels in all district headquarters and in all major cities in the state. It was also directed to set up a separate fund to support women self-help groups (SHGs) and women’s co-operatives to enable them to carry out economic activities.

The policy had set a major goal for the Home Department, asking it to set up “all-women Police station” in each district headquarter. Besides, the department had been directed to depute a separate investigating officer of the rank of deputy Superintendent of Police to investigate unnatural deaths of women. The Legal Department was to develop a statutory and procedural framework for registration of domestic and home-based woman workers so that they could avail social security support.

Women and Child Development Minister Anandiben Patel also admits that several departments are still lagging behind and are yet to draw up detailed plans for translating the Nari Gaurav Niti into concrete actions. “After the current Assembly session gets over, I propose to convene a meeting of heads of all departments concerned to ensure that the work entrusted to them under the policy is expedited,” said Patel.

She said some of the goals set under the policy were achieved by the Education, Revenue, Health, Agriculture and Rural Development departments, but much remained to be done by other departments, particularly the Home and the Legal departments.