Women’s role in Gram Panchayat vital

Women’s role in Gram Panchayat vital

Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Mar 17,2015:  Speaking at a women’s day rally organised by Udupi Zilla Panchayat, in association with District Women and Child Welfare Department,  MLA Pramodh Madhawaraj said good participation of women in the all facets of democracy would enable effective functioning of  the national mechanisms. He rued that women do not come forward to take part actively in the polls held at grass root level.

He went to say, although women claim to be empowered, much work is yet to be done in bringing them to the mainstream of society. The women have been made powerful through Self Help Groups (SHGs).  GP polls are fast approaching, active participation of women in GP- gram panchayat,  is the need of the hour. 50 per cent reservation for women in gram panchayat, zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat polls must be kept in mind.

There are 300 gram panchayats in Udupi assembly constituency and  bright chances for women presidents in gram panchayats.

Efficiency  :  Possibilities of women taking up problems like drinking water  and  infrastructural facilities is much brighter in the context of work efficiency.  He said government has taken up measures to curtail the atrocities against women, which has increased never like before across the world. He said that the Congress government has hiked the amount for SHGs from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000.   BPL card holders would be offered rice up to 50 kg at free of cost. Besides, the APL cardholders would be allowed rice and wheat.

The loans offered to SHGs was Rs 1 lakh, however it has been increased to Rs 2 lakh by the government. The anganwadi workers and assistants honorarium has been increased.  Speaking after inaugurating the programme, ZP president Savitha Shivanand Kotian said woman have enormous strength  and play various roles with better results.  Women now are seen working both at home and outside, performing their duties efficiently.

She lamented that despite the status of women improving socially, economically and educationally, she is still the victim of the violence.  Urging the government to take stringent measures against persons  who commit crime against women,  she called for strict and serious measures widely.