Panaji: State govt has notified the Rehabilitation of Acid Attack Victims Scheme, which provides medical treatment, reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation and financial assistance to acid attack survivors.Goa reported two acid attack cases in 2025 and 2016. In 2025, a 17-year-old student was attacked at the Dhargal bus stop. In 2016, a minor girl and her grandmother were injured in an attack in Mapusa.The scheme covers medical treatment, reconstructive and plastic surgery, counselling, rehabilitation, education, skill development, employment and self-employment support. It also provides legal assistance and helps survivors access disability certification, welfare benefits and assistive devices.The scheme aims to promote the social and economic rehabilitation of survivors and ensure that benefits are not denied because criminal proceedings are pending.It applies to Goa residents who are acid attack survivors. Financial assistance will be available to those who suffer permanent disfigurement, functional impairment or disability due to an acid attack.Eligible survivors will receive an immediate grant of Rs 25,000, preferably within 48 hours of the authorities receiving information about the case, to meet urgent needs such as medicines, food, clothing, travel, temporary accommodation and attendant support.An additional Rs 75,000 may be sanctioned within 15 days after verification for medical and rehabilitation expenses, taking the immediate relief to Rs 1 lakh.State govt will bear the full cost of treatment related to the acid attack at govt or approved private hospitals.Survivors will be entitled to reconstructive or plastic surgery whenever medically required. The number of surgeries will be based on medical need and assessed by a panel of govt or empanelled specialists.If specialised treatment is unavailable in Goa, survivors may be referred to a govt or empanelled hospital outside the state.
