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Women Welfare / Development

50% of seats in local bodies for women

Thursday, 20 August 2009 05:44 administrator
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The Hindu - Karnataka 20.08.2009

50% of seats in local bodies for women

Special Correspondent

Special House session from September 8 to enact law

 

12 kg free rice for tribal people for Onam

More communities included in OBC category

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to reserve 50 per cent of seats in local self-government institutions for women.

Briefing the media after the weekly Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan said a law would be brought in on a priority basis for providing reservation for women. A special session of the Assembly would be convened from September 8 to 17 for enactment of legislations including the one on women’s reservation.

Oceanarium

Mr. Achuthanandan announced that a joint sector company would be formed for establishing an oceanarium complex and marine biological research centre at Puthuvypu near Kochi. The complex, to be set up with private participation, would be the first in the country.

He also announced that the government would provide 12 kg of rice free of charge to tribal people during Onam. Besides, all schoolchildren who were covered under the noon-meal scheme would get 5 kg of rice free during the festival. Free ration would be provided to the workers of the defunct Alappuzha port during Onam. They would also be given a purse of Rs.3,000 against Rs.2,500 paid last year. The workers of closed public sector units would get Rs.1,250. This was 25 per cent higher than the amount paid last year.

The Chief Minister said that the Pandaran, Dahni and Kachimemom communities would be included on the list of Other Backward Classes (OBC). A public sector company would be formed for the conservation and management of the Aralam farm in Kannur.

Replying to questions, Mr. Achuthanandan said that special secretary in his office N. Chandrasekhara Panicker had replaced S. Rajendran as his private secretary. The replacement was a routine procedure. (Mr. Rajendran was reportedly removed after the CPI(M) State secretariat discussed the Chief Minister’s complaints against him.)

He said the government had decided to provide 25 acres of land at Vytilla in Ernakulam for setting up a bus terminal. This was aimed at reducing traffic congestion. The Collector had been asked to submit a proposal on the bus terminal. The land belonged to the Agriculture Department. So, the department would be provided with suitable land elsewhere.

He said the proposal for development of Metro Rail in Kochi faced fresh hurdles. The Union Finance Ministry had objected to joint funding of the project by the State and Central governments.

Last Updated on Thursday, 20 August 2009 05:46
 

Kerala sets apart 50 pc seats in civic bodies for women

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 10:46 administrator
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Indian Express 19.08.2009

Kerala sets apart 50 pc seats in civic bodies for women

In a major pro-women policy initiative, the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala on Wednesday decided to set apart 50 per cent of elected seats in panchayats and all other local bodies for women.

Announcing this after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said a special session of the state Assembly would be convened from September 8 to 17 to bring in a legislation in this regard.

The liaison committee of the coalition government had last week evolved a consensus among the ruling front partners to formulate such policy.

Presently, 33 per cent of seats in civic bodies are constitutionally guaranteed for women. If necessary, states have powers to bring in amendments to their respective laws to enhance women's representation up to 50 per cent. States like Chattisgargh, Bihar and Maharashtra have already taken initiative in this direction.

The amendment would also help increase women's representation on administrative panels of civic bodies like standing committees, giving them a decisive say on important matters like Budget allocations for welfare schemes. LDF circles hailed this as a crucial aspect since many of the welfare schemes concerning women and children were now being implemented through local bodies.

Greater presence of women on civic bodies would make formulation of schemes, budget allocations and implementation far more gender-sensitive, they said.

Kerala has 999 village panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 53 municipalities and five city corporations.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 10:59
 

Schemes for women sanitation workers

Wednesday, 19 August 2009 05:08 administrator
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The Hindu - Kerala 19.08.2009

Schemes for women sanitation workers

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The government is planning to implement several welfare schemes for women engaged in the removal of solid waste.

Local Self-Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty said here on Monday that an expert committee headed by Sanitation Mission Director Dr. Ajaykumar Varma had been appointed to study the work and health challenges being faced by the women. Its recommendations had been accepted by the Government and steps had been taken on the basis of them.

It had been decided to provide apron, gloves and mask to the workers. An insurance scheme which would provide for the payment of Rs.1 lakh in the event of death or disability due to accident would be implemented for them. Health cards would be provided to them and they would be subjected to medical check-ups. A minimum net income of Rs.2,500 a month would be ensured in their case. A welfare fund would also be set up.

An additional annual expenditure of Rs.2.06 crore would have to be incurred for covering the 2,177 members of the 255 Kudmbasree units in 23 urban bodies. It would be shared on an equal basis by the urban body and the unit concerned.

Last Updated on Wednesday, 19 August 2009 05:10
 
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