New Delhi, Feb 21 (IANS): President Pranab Mukherjee Thursday said the government, deeply concerned about incidents of sexual offences against women, promulgated an ordinance amending criminal law to provide stringent punishment for sexual offences.

"After considering the recommendations of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, the government has promulgated an ordinance, amending the criminal law to provide for stringent punishment for heinous sexual offences against women," the president said.

Noting the government's efforts to implement a series of administrative measures to improve safety and security of women in the country, he said: "The National Mission for Empowerment of Women will implement a pilot project in public hospitals in 100 districts, called One Stop Crisis Centre, a specialised facility for providing all necessary services for women subjected to violence."

He also pointed out that the government has enacted "path-breaking legislation" for the security of women. "The government has enacted a path-breaking legislation 'Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act', which provides for stringent punishment for persons who commit or abet such offences," he said.

"For ensuring a safe and secure environment for women in work places, the government introduced the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 in Parliament, which was passed by the Lok Sabha," he added.