Urban News

The Hindu 30.04.2010

Councillors extend support to 50 per cent quota for women

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: The Chennai Corporation Council on Thursday adopted a resolution supporting the need for implementation of 50 per cent reservation for women.

Mayor M. Subramanian said that the recommendation would be sent to the government for consideration.

The resolution was adopted in response to the letter of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department, urging the civic body to give its opinion on reservation for women.

Provisions have been already made in the Chennai City Municipal Corporation Act 1919 for 33 per cent reservation for women in the council. Various councillors stressed the need for appropriate action on the proposed increase in the reservation for women from 33 to 50 per cent.

Councillor R. Santhibai of Shenoy Nagar welcomed the resolution of the council and said that 33 per cent reservation was not enough for women. D. Lakshmi, councillor of ward 10 Kumarasamy Nagar south, said that the resolution increased enthusiasm among women councillors.

The proposed increase would contribute towards more freedom for women and give them more confidence, she added. “We are playing a significant role at home. Now more women would have to work for society,” said Ms. Lakshmi.

R. Hemavathi, councillor of Siruvalloor, said that 33 per cent reservation had given women more inclination to join politics. If the reservation is increased to 50 per cent, more women would get motivation and start working for the people at grassroots level, she said.

The Hindu 22.03.2010

Rs. 2.38 crore given as revolving fund to SHGs

Staff Reporter

Welfare measures:Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napoleon (fourth from right), disbursing credit to women self-help group members in Karur on Saturday. Collector J. Uma Maheswari is also seen.

KARUR: Gone are the days when women were confined to the dark interiors of kitchen. They are now in the forefront in all fields of activity excelling in their chosen fields erasing gender inequality even as the Central and State governments support their endeavours, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment D. Napoleon said here on Saturday.

Speaking at a function organised here to distribute the district-level Manimekalai awards to select women self-help groups, Mr. Napoleon said that the recent introduction of the Women's Bill in the Rajya Sabha and its passing augured well for women's development and ensured equitable participation of women in nation-building. In a lighter vein the Union Minister remarked that many MPs feared that their constituencies might go the eve's way in the next elections and that answered their opposition to the Bill.

The Central and State governments were implementing a lot of schemes for the welfare and development of women and the self-help group concept was the fulcrum to all those efforts, the Union Minister said.

Pointing out that several schemes were being implemented for facilitating SHG members including extending economic development fund and revolving fund credit facilities, Mr. Napoleon said that the Chief Minister, M. Karunanidhi, had been implementing a lot of schemes for their development. Schemes were there to benefit all sections of women from baby girls to elderly women including spinsters.

Calling upon women to get themselves educated to face the future in a confident manner withering competitions, Mr. Napoleon said the increasing success showcased by liberated women was a reminder of their prowess, when given an opportunity.

The Union Minister gave away district-level Manimekalai Awards for 2008-09 for SHGs and federation of SHGs on the occasion. A total of 59 groups were given Rs. 2.38 crore as revolving fund while Rs. 1.19 crore was given away to another 199 groups as economic development assistance. In all 957 groups were granted Rs. 11.73 crores as credit through various means on the occasion.

Collector J. Uma Maheswari recalled that the efforts of progressive minded social reformers such as Periyar E.V. Ramasamy Naicker were responsible for the emancipation of women and the Chief Minister was following their footsteps in implementing women's development schemes.

The Minister gave away a special shield to the Lead District Manager, K. Chandrasekaran, for the meritorious efforts taken for extending credit to maximum number of SHGs in the district.

District Revenue Officer C. Munirathinam, Inam Karur Municipality chairperson Kavitha Ganesan, Project Officer, District Rural Development Agency, S. Kavitha, Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam, S. Rajalakshmi, and others spoke.