CHENNAI: The State unit of the All-India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA) has demanded that one-third of the jobs under the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme be earmarked for women.

The resolution, adopted at the State secretariat meeting at Kovilpatti in Tuticorin district on Wednesday and Thursday, urged the Government to immediately work out guidelines for the implementation of the scheme in four districts.

The meeting alleged that machines were being used for the food-for-work programme and called for steps to ensure that no irregularities took place.

On the State Government's comprehensive social security scheme, the AIDWA said the benefits should be extended to all small and marginal farmers and farm workers without gender bias.

Opposing any move to privatise water bodies, it demanded that the private soft drink unit at Gangaikondan in Tirunelveli should not be allowed to exploit water.

Through another resolution, it asked the Government to protect match and salt-manufacturing units in Tuticorin district.

It sought steps to streamline kerosene supply through the public distribution system and asked the Centre to evolve alternate methods to control the price of petroleum products, including liquefied petroleum gas.

In view of the increasing cost of onion and vegetables, the Government should bring them under the purview of the Essential Commodities Act and supply them through the PDS outlets.

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