Urban News

The Hindu  05.10.2010

Women councillors list achievements

Aabha Raveendran

KOZHIKODE: The 33 per cent reservation for women had posed a challenge to many a political party in the last local body elections due to dearth of women candidates with proven track record. Many parties resorted to the age-old tactic of handing over the baton to the relatives of political leaders. There were instances when many members complained that they did not get a free reign on their work and being women, they were taken for granted.

However, the women councillors of Kozhikode City Corporation seem to have no such complaints. Stepping down after their five-year tenure, most of them appear satisfied with their achievements. Of the 20 women councillors in the Council of 55 members, only one or two were seen participating in any sort of productive discussion at the Council meetings. But they claim to have created results at the grassroots level.

Hansa Jayant of JD(S), who represented the Valiyangadi ward in the last council, is fully satisfied with her work over the last five years.

Achievements

“My ward consists of a large chunk of the city and is a highly commercialised area. I was able to do my best for the ward by repairing and constructing roads, installing around 200 streetlights and drinking water facilities. I was instrumental in giving a facelift to Mananchira Square, Town Hall, Tagore Hall, art gallery and so on. The setting up of WiFi bus stops was indeed an achievement,” she told The Hindu. Ms. Jayanth is contesting the polls from Moonnalingal ward this time, where the conditions are quite different. “Moonnalingal is a backward area and I have to put together all my resources for its uplift.”

A.M. Mariyam of INL, who represented the Mukhadar ward and is now re-contesting the same ward, is happy that she could complete work on a number of drainages, footpaths and road repairs.

A. Pushpalatha, who represented East Hill ward as a DIC(K) candidate in the last council, listed almost a dozen projects that she had taken up in her ward last time. Though denied a Congress ticket, she is contesting the polls independently in the same ward, eager to continue her service.

According to these councillors, being a woman has not hampered their work in any way.

They said their colleagues and other party workers were very helpful and cooperative. Their success story will surely be an inspiration for more women to come forward in politics and work independently.

The Hindu  27.09.2010

50 p.c. quota for women in municipal polls: Anam

BHEEMUNIPATNAM: The State government has decided to positively implement 50 per cent reservation for women in the Council seats during coming the municipal elections, Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister Anam Ramnarayana Reddy said. Making this announcement during the celebrations to mark Bhimili Municipality's completion of 150 years here on Sunday, the Minister said that Chief Minister K.Rosaiah was determined to implement this provision by amending the law as early as possible and provide equal opportunities to women in the municipal elections whenever they were announced.

Reiterating the State government's determination to make Andhra Pradesh a slumless State by 2014, he promised to take all possible measures to ensure that 7,450 slums in the State got developed with all basic amenities.

The Chief Minister, who was supposed to be the chief guest, could not make it as he was indisposed for the past two days and deputed four Ministers to attend the function. The term of the Municipal Council comes to an end within a few days. Demand for a fishing harbour and reopening of the Chittivalasa Jute Mills, where 6,000 employees were laid off were the key demands made by Bheemunipatnam MLA M. Srinivasa Rao during his address.