Delhi: Confusion mars launch of new women's helpline number 181

New Delhi: Even before the new helpline number for women, 181, could get operational, there is confusion over the launch of it. While Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit was slated to inaugurate it on Monday afternoon, the government ad said that the helpline was already in place.

Sources in the Telecom Ministry also said that the helpline number should have been operational from Monday morning itself. However, sources in the Delhi government blamed the MTNL for the glitch over the launch of the helpline number.

At 3:30 pm on Monday the helpline number was accessible from MTNL and Airtel numbers, but not the connection of other mobile operators.

Sources in the Telecom Ministry said that the helpline number should have been operational from Monday morning itself.

After the outrage over the brutal gangrape and assault of a 23-year-old paramedical student in a moving bus in the national capital on December 16, the Delhi government had said that it would make the helpline number, 181, operational for women in distress.

The helpline has been set up at Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's office at Delhi Secretariat. A senior Delhi government official had said that a dedicated helpline would go a long way in providing a mode to contact CM office and seek any assistance from law enforcing agencies.

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