Imphal, January 07 2009: Endorsing reservation of seats for women, veteran CPI leader and Health Minister Ph Parijat Singh has categorically stated that instead of 33 percent, 50 percent of the seats should be reserved for women not just in the State Assembly election but also in the Parliament election.

'Because subduing the voice of the women in politics who constituted half the population of the country is unreasonable.

Women should be allowed to play their role in the policy making process of the country', the Minister said while addressing at the 69th foundation day celebration of All Manipur Nupi Marup here today.

Presided over by president of All Manipur Nupi Marup, the foundation day celebration held at Irabot Bhavan was also attended by patron member of the women's body M Kadambini Devi as guest of honour.

Delivering the key note address of the function, secretary of All Manipur Nupi Marup Ibeni said All Manipur Nupi Marup is the oldest organisation of the women in Manipur.

After the first Nupi Lan of 1939, the organisation had been set up on January 7, 1940 by Jananeta Hijam Irabot and Ima Sabhi, who played a pivotal role in the Second Nupi Lan.

Stating that All Manipur Nupi Marup has been set up to achieve various aims and objectives, Ibeni pointed that the organisation has been demanding reservation of 33 percent of the seats for women in election of the State Assemblies and the Parliament.

The organisation has also been taking up various important issues of the State from time to time and would continue to do so in th future, she added.

Participating as resource persons in the discussion session organised as part of the celebration, Prof Ksh Bimola Devi spoke on the topic of 'Status of Manipuri women in the changing political scenario' and Dr K Manibabu Singh of Ibotonsana Higher Secondary School on 'The role of women in the economy of Manipur'.

Prof Ksh Bimola observed that inspite of the relentless efforts and contribution being by Manipuri women in the society over the last many years, they have not been able to find a place for themselves in the field of politic.

During election time, they have been canvassing for the candidates and standing in long line at the polling stations to cast their votes.

But not many women candidates have been able to contest in the election successfully.

Till date only four women candidates have been elected as MLA in the political history of Manipur and all these women have succeeded only because of public sympathy consequent to following the footsteps of their husbands.

This only shows that political education among the women in Manipur is still lagging far behind, Prof Bimola said, while calling upon All Manipur Nupi Marup to contribute its mite in imbibing political consciousness and education among the Manipuri women.

Dr K Manibabu noted that the first impact of poverty in the family is felt by the woman and economic condition of most of the women in Manipur is not sound.

Even if they could come out to earn their livelihood and supplement the income of their families, they could never earn enough to the level of saving their earning and purchasing properties of their own.

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