CM pledges women's rights, slams Chaoba
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 17, 2013: While pledging to undertake all relevant legislative reforms for empowerment of women, Chief Minister Okram ibobi Singh has lashed out at the State BJP chief Th Chaoba, on what he (CM) terms as immature comments.

Speaking as the chief guest at the one-day 'women's convention and awareness programme on social issues' organised by the Manipur Pradesh youth Committee today, Ibobi asserted that Government of Manipur is committed to uplifting socio-political status of Manipuri women.

Noting important roles of Manipuri women in diverse issues as well as expressing elation that the girl students have been outsmarting their male counterparts in various examinations, the CM opined that such positive trends are clear indication that Manipuri women have tremendous potential to scale new heights.

citing 30 percent reservation for women in local bodies and similar proposal to accommodate women legislators in the State assemblies and Parliament to substantiate that the Government of India is taking all possible measures to put the women on par with the men, he however pointed out that women's education, particularly the girl child, is an essential criteria for socio-economic development of women.

Apart from increasing number of women legislators in the country's highest decision-making body, the Central Government is determined to check violence against women with the most stringent punishment of all who commit atrocities against the fairer sex, he added.

With regard to his outburst against Th Chaoba on the latter's report comment that there would be only three sittings in the upcoming assembly session, Ibobi clarified that after March month a 'tentative budget' session is being planned.

Reminding that the said session would be a prelude to the main budget session, he informed that inspite of the limited sittings 'tentative budget' session would be an important one to work out financial requirement for the State's development.

Charging Chaoba of baffling the masses through such immature comments, the CM also highlighted that number of sittings for an assembly session is decided by the Assembly's Business Advisory Board, having elected representatives of different political organisations.

As deciding on the period of a particular assembly session is the prerogative of the Board, it is irrelevant to criticise the Government on the matter, he maintained and advised the State BJP chief to introspect rather than expect that dramatic elocutions to convince the masses.

Questioning Chaoba's political integrity with apparent reference to the former Union Minister frequently changing political allegiance, Ibobi expressed that he would prefer political retirement rather than betray his colleagues as Chaoba had been doing.

As functional president of the day-long event held at Puchaopat community hall, Thambalkhong, Deputy CM Gaikhangam affirmed that overall progress in the society would be a possibility only when the males consider women and children as important component of the society's development process.

Strong emphasising on shelving the concept that women could be discriminated upon for their physical inferiority compared to male, the DyCM also highlighted that having audacity to concede that one has committed mistake should be one of the male characteristics.

Lok Sabha MP Dr Th Meinya, as one of the guests of honour, called upon the women to join the political process and become a member of the policy-making body.

Expressing that only a woman would be more understandable to women-specific issues, he iterated that the society needs women leaders to ensure all-round development.

Apart from State Congress legislators and members of different subsidiary units of the political organisation, AICC secretary Shanimol Osmal and Manipur State in-charge of Indian Youth Congress Deepika Pandey also attended the programme.

In connection with the women's convention, discussion session was held on 'women and laws (domestic violence & infanticide', 'women in the political arena (past, present & future)' and health issues.

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