CM exhorts women to take major roles in legislation
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, July 06 2013 : Stressing on the need for women to play important roles in legislation, Chief Minister Okram Ibobi has exhorted them to take active participation in process of legislation and administration of the country.

He was speaking as Chief Guest of the one-day state level political conference of Mahila Congress held at Congress Bhavan here today.

Ibobi further said that women have important roles in the society.

They have been empowered to take part in governance with 30 percent reservation in local self-governments.

The Government is trying to keep women's reservation even in legislative bodies, he added.

The Congress-led UPA-I and UPA-II have tried to pass the Women's Reservation Bill, which proposes to amend the Constitution of India to reserve 33 per cent of all seats in the Lok Sabha and all state legislative assemblies for women.

However, the Bill in the Parliament is still pending due to disagreement with the Opposition Parties, he noted.

The Opposition Parties are putting necessary resistance to the passage of several important bills in the Parliament, including that of Food Security Bill.

Notably, the President has passed an ordinance to ensure food security to the people.

The poor masses would one day stand totally against the Opposition Parties if they keep on blocking the passage such pro-people bills, Ibobi contended.

The Congress Government is striving to uplift the socioeconomic condition of the people through Food Security Act and Direct Cash Transfer Scheme, which aims to transfer cash for all social benefit schemes directly to personal bank accounts of the beneficiaries.

The Congress women's workers must play important roles to reach out such benefits to the masses, Chief Minister averred.

Ibobi also appealed to the Mahila workers to sensitize the women vendors against selling hazardous tobacco products such as zarda, khaini, talab, etc.

in view of maintaining a good and healthy society.

He further lamented at the availability of liquor at every nook and corner of the State despite being a dry state, and added that people should be conscious about their health and they must abstain from consuming harmful and cancerous products.

Speaking at the conference, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam maintained that the Mahila Cell is one of the most important units of Congress Party and so Mahila members must move forward for a better and progressive country tomorrow.

MP Thangso Baite, Deputy Speaker MK Preshow Shimray, MLA DK Korungthang, MLA T Mangibabu, President of Mahila Congress RK Ranisana and other members of MPCC attended the political conference.

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