Mehbooba for women-oriented social security scheme
By News Agency of Kashmir
Jammu : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) President, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has called for devising a comprehensive social security scheme for the State’s women to improve the standard of their living not only in material terms but also in emotional and qualitative terms.
Addressing a day-long convention of the PDP women’s wing at Marh today, Ms Mufti said the Coalition Government headed by PDP took certain radical measures towards the political, economic and social empowerment of the women starting with reserving 33 per cent seats in the local bodies for them. She said the involvement of the women in the political decision making and developmental initiatives at the grassroots level has proved effective given their impressive performance on the ground. “In have no qualms in saying that the performance our women local body members has turned out to be beyond our expectation,” she said and added that not only have the women councilors done their job excellently, but they remained in touch with people to address their developmental concerns.
Ms Mufti said the Coalition Government headed by Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had even planned to hold Panchayat elections in the State on the same pattern with 33 per cent reservation for women. “However, the move was scuttled by the opposition National Conference as they pleaded before the Governor for the deferment of the Panchayat Polls,” she said and added that the party is committed to implement its commitment in this regard.
The PDP President said the women must draw their due from various welfare schemes in vogue to improve their lot. She said as the women are vulnerable to various social problems, they must get adequate economic security to prevent them from being exploited. She said there is especially a major chunk of educated unemployed girls in the State and the Government must address their job concerns to prevent them from facing social troubles.
Referring to the proposed fast-track recruitment drive to be launched by the Government for filling up various vacancies, Ms Mufti said the Government must ensure that there is no political interference in the recruitment process and the meritorious and deserving educated youth get justice. She said a transparent mechanism must be put in place to make recruitment of Anganwari workers in the newly created 7000 Anganwari centers as unemployment has been not only a touchy issue but also the biggest source of corruption in the State.