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Hooda announces bonanza for women

Special Correspondent

Enhanced honorarium and financial assistance

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Tuesday announced a bonanza for women for their socio-economic and educational upliftment including enhanced honorarium and financial assistance to the Mahila Mandals for exposure visits and purchase of toys and swings.

Addressing the State-level women empowerment function and launching the "Chalo Gaon Ki Aur'' programme at Karnal, Mr.Hooda said that the Government would provide pension of Rs. 300 per month to the eunuchs with immediate effect on the pattern of old age and widow pension. He also announced increase of Rs. 100 per annum in the honorarium of Anganwari workers and helpers from May 1.This decision would be reviewed after five years.

Mr. Hooda said that keeping in view the social and economic problems faced by widows, the Government has decided to increase their pension by Rs. 50 per month. Now they would get Rs. 350 per month. He also announced one per cent concession in the rate of interest for women for getting loan from Women Development Corporation and other Corporations in the State for starting their own ventures.

And to facilitate members of Mahila Mandals to visit other districts to apprise themselves with the developmental activities, Rs.5,000 would be sanctioned as financial assistance to each Mahila Mandal. There are 7,000 Mahila Mandals in Haryana. Mr.Hooda said that it had been decided to provide free education to girls belonging to scheduled castes (SC).Toys and swings would be made available in the Anganwari Centres. The dress allowance for the girls belonging to SC would be enhanced from Rs. 150 to Rs. 300 up to Class Fifth and Rs. 200 to Rs. 500 up to Class Twelve.

He further said that 11,000 teachers would be recruited in the state and 33 per cent seats would be reserved for women. Also, 25 per cent seats had been reserved for the fairer sex in the ITIs and vocational institutions.

He also honoured 35 women for their role in the upliftment of their sex. These included three women who had sent back their bridegrooms who had demanded dowry.

The Women Commission of India Chairperson,Girija Vyas, expressed concern over increasing cases of female foeticide in the country.

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Hooda announces bonanza for women

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