— Photo:T. Singaravelou

WARM RECEPTION: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on arrival to inaugurate International Women's Day celebration on Wednesday.

PONDICHERRY: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy has said that a number of measures for the betterment of women had been evolved and implemented in Pondicherry by his Government in the last five years ago. His remarks came at a function to distribute prizes for winners of various competitions on International Women's Day celebrated jointly by the Department of Women and Child Development, Corporation for Development of Women and Handicapped Persons and by Pondicherry station of All India Radio (AIR) here on Wednesday.

The Chief Minister said that a 25 per cent capital subsidy had been introduced for women entrepreneurs starting industries. A concession by 50 per cent was also available on stamp duty levied for registration, when a property was registered in the name of a woman. Mr. Rangasamy said that Pondicherry was the only State where anganwadi workers (all women) were regularized and were conferred the status of regular Government staff.

Distribution of subsidy to the women self-help groups to start dairy projects was another feature of the economic betterment of women. Secretary to Education B.V. Selvaraj who welcomed those present said that the rate of literacy among women in Pondicherry was higher than the national average (74 per cent against national average of 54 per cent). There was, however, no larger involvement of women in the employment sector. He said a thorough study should be made into this aspect.

Mr. Selvaraj lauded the anti dowry pledge a batch of more than 300 students took earlier at the venue. He said that women activists should also come out with a resolution to ensure that a ban was adopted on social functions and customs that demeaned young girls psychologically and restricted their freedom. Mr. Selvaraj also said that if complaints were available on dowry practices such as display of cars outside the marriage halls, there would be strict action including confiscation of those vehicles.

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