Early Times Report
Srinagar, Sept 29: Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs Abdul Rahim Rather today said, now when the whole world is talking loud about the rights of Women Folk, the J&K has a distinction in the whole sub-continent to have championed for the empowerment of women by incorporating separate chapter in the Naya Kashmir document also known as political agenda of NC, about 70 years ago.
Speaking at 2-days conference on "Empowerment of Women in Panchayats; the road ahead", held at Convocation Complex of the University of Kashmir, the Minister on Sunday said that Article 52 of the Naya Kashmir document orchistered by Sher-i-Kashmir exclusively deals with the empowerment of the women with emphasis on equal rights to women in administrative, political and financial fields.
"It also stresses that to ensure their representation in various fields of the life, adequate reservations of seats should be kept available for women candidates. Later, carrying the mission of Sher-i-Kashmir further ahead, the former Chief Minister of the State Dr. Farooq Abdullah who at present is Union Minister announced 50% reservation in coveted in MBBS seats despite stiff resistance by many quarters which depicts government's concern about women empowerment. Now we have a separate Women Commission in place and 33% reservation for Women in Panchayat Raj Institutions", he said.
"This has been ensured by passing an Amendment in the Panchayati Raj Act, which is a big revolutionary step towards Women Empowerment", Rather added.
The conference was organized by the Institute of Social Sciences University of Kashmir in coordination with Institution of Social Studies New Delhi.
Asking the participating elected women Panches and Sarpanches in the conference Rather said, "You are the leaders in making provided you serve the people sincerely, selflessly and honestly".
The Chairman, Institute of Social Studies, New Delhi, Dr. George Mathew, Dean Department of students Welfare and Director Women's Studies Centre University of Kashmir, Prof. Nilofer and Associate Professor, Department of Economics University of Kashmir also spoke on the occasion |
