CHIEF MINISTER Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced the institution of the Rani Avanti Bai and Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Awards of Rs one lakh each to honour courageous women.
Addressing the ‘Stri Shakti Sammelan’ at Jawahar Bal Bhavan organised here today to mark International Women’s Day, the Chief Minister said all possible steps would be taken for socio-economic and educational empowerment of women.
He said women were as efficient and talented as men. He added that implementation of welfare programmes for women had made them aware of their rights and opportunities. Stressing the need for enhancing the coverage of schemes like Gaon Ki Beti and free cycle distribution to girl students, he said serious efforts would be made to check high maternal and infant mortality rates by ensuring safe motherhood facilities.
He said facilities for institutional deliveries would be ensured in health institutions. Besides, benefits of the Deen Dayal Antyoday Prasav Parivahan Sahayata scheme would be ensured to all expectant mothers. He said it is also being considered to provide supplementary diet to expectant mothers.
The Chief Minister said the provision of debarring persons from contesting Panchayat election for having more than two children was not just. Appreciating the working of women’s self help groups, he said the products of these groups would be exempted from relevant taxes and be provided a better market.
A committee has also been set up for studying the issue for exemption in taxes on such products. Minister for Women and Child Development Kusum Mehdele listed programmes devoted to advancement of women.
{{/usCountry}}A committee has also been set up for studying the issue for exemption in taxes on such products. Minister for Women and Child Development Kusum Mehdele listed programmes devoted to advancement of women.
{{/usCountry}}Minister of State for Women and Child Development Meena Singh, chairperson of Madhya Pradesh State Social Welfare Board Usha Chaturvedi, chairperson of Madhya Pradesh State Commission for Women Relam Chouhan, MLA Sudha Jain and Principal Secretary, Woman and Child Development, OP Rawat were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister also presented awards for excellence in social service, administration, music, and medical etc. Shalini Tai Moghe of Indore, Champa Behan of Sagar, Nirmala Buch of Bhopal, Asgari Bai of Tikamgarh and Dr Anusuika Gabli of Jhabua, Dr Pushpa Shrivastava of Indore were honoured for their outstanding services in their respective fields.
Daughter-in-law of Asgari Bai, Saira Bano received the honour. The Chief Minister also felicitated dedicated anganwadi workers Damyanti Tiwari (Damoh), Vimla Verma (Rewa), Parvati Thapa (Ujjain), Mamta Narvaria (Hoshangabad), Gita Shukla and Krishna Choukse (Bhopal).