Sat Mar 08 16:28:52 UTC 2025: ## Karnataka to Implement First Comprehensive Burn Victim Policy in India
**Bengaluru, March 8, 2025** – Karnataka is poised to become the first Indian state with a dedicated policy for burn victims, encompassing insurance, housing, rehabilitation, employment, and pension benefits. The initiative, announced by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, fulfills a long-standing demand from women’s rights activists.
The policy, currently in draft form, was developed by Aweksha, a women’s trust combating gender-based violence, and submitted to the Health Department. Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao stated that the policy’s details will be finalized in consultation with activists and experts following the state budget’s approval, with an anticipated launch within one to two months.
A key component of the policy is the recognition of burn disfigurement as a disability, opening access to existing disability benefits and reservations. This addresses concerns raised by Aweksha co-founder Donna Fernandes, who highlighted the inadequacy of the current Victim Compensation Scheme, which often requires police reports—a barrier for many victims due to social stigma or fear of repercussions. Fernandes advocates for compensation based solely on hospital admission, mirroring support provided to acid attack survivors.
Sathya K. of Aweksha, who works with burn patients at Victoria Hospital’s Mahabodhi Burns Ward, noted a shift in the causes of burn injuries, from stove accidents to gas cylinder incidents, and an increase in middle-aged and elderly women seeking treatment, often due to relationship issues or loneliness. Regardless of the cause, she stresses the need for comprehensive reporting and acknowledgment of all burn cases to facilitate lasting change. The policy aims to address these complex issues and provide holistic support for burn survivors.
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