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Mahila Congress chief compliments Pondicherry Government

Special Correspondent

Women's empowerment and rise in literacy `laudable achievements'

Pondicherry : Chairperson of the all India Mahila Congress Committee Rita Bahuguna Joshi has said that the five years of Congress rule in Pondicherry had seen advances in empowerment of women, enhancement of their literacy and also in implementing unique schemes making Pondicherry a model State.

`Pondicherry an example'

Addressing a seminar organised by Pondicherry State Mahila Congress here on Sunday, Ms Rita said that she had been telling the people in other States that they should emulate the example set by Pondicherry in providing educational, health and socially relevant facilities for women.

Lauding Chief Minister N Rangasamy and PCC leader P Shanmugham for their attention to raising the status of women through various measures, the Mahila Congress chief said that the per capita medical expenditure in Pondicherry was around Rs 800, greater than in other States.

While only a two percent rebate was available in other States in stamp duty for registration of documents of property purchased in the name of women, Mr. Rangasamy had introduced a fifty percent concession.

It was only in Pondicherry the cooking gas connection and stoves were available free to poor families.

Ms Rita also highlighted schemes such as Right to Information Act, National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, Minorities Welfare Commission, encouragement of girls education and a number of welfare schemes evolved and implemented by the Congress Government for women in the country as a whole.

Reservation for women

AICC leader Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh were keen on introducing 33 percent reservation for women in legislative bodies.

She was confident that the Congress would form the government once again in Pondicherry.

Secretary of the all India Mahila Congress Kamalakshi Sharma asked women volunteers to act as a bridge between the government and the masses.

They must educate the masses on the secular values and opportunities available in employment sector for women.

Cultural shows should be held to highlight the achievements of the UPA rule at the Centre and of Pondicherry Congress government.

The Chief Minister, the PCC leader, the chairperson of Pondicherry unit of Mahila Congress Jeanne Pourani, former Chief Minister V Vaithilingam, former MLA S.Manohar, the chairperson of Women's Development Corporation M K Sayeekumari and others attended the function.

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