The Hindu : New Delhi News : Mother's name to be added to documents

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 24, 2006

New Delhi

New Delhi

Mother's name to be added to documents

Staff Reporter

A big step towards women's empowerment, says Sheila Dikshit

NEW DELHI: In a far-reaching decision, the Delhi Cabinet on Tuesday gave its nod for inclusion of the mother's name in all documents and certificates to be issued by any department of the State Government.

It also approved putting women empowerment programmes under its Mission Mode fast track mechanism and cleared the policy for partnership with non-government organisations in management of the State Social Welfare Department's institutions and setting up of a comprehensive business model for the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences. These decisions were taken at a meeting of the Cabinet held under the leadership of Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Later Ms. Dikshit told newsmen that the decision relating to inclusion of mother's name in all certificates, application forms and documents was a big step towards women's empowerment. In future, voter's I-cards, driving licences, ration cards, school certificates, birth certificates, death certificates and disability certificates cutting across all sectors and departments would also include the mother's name. Particulars of both father and mother in the documents would help in establishing the identity of the person concerned in a more specific manner. Ms. Dikshit further said the "Stree Shakti" programme had been brought under the Mission Mode format and this would revolutionise the entire concept of women empowerment.

It would target 8 lakh women in four select areas of Delhi. It aims at reducing neo-natal and infant mortality rates as also maternal mortality rate and the practice of female foeticide.

Also, it envisages giving access to formal and non-formal education, completion of secondary and high school of all girls enrolled, better work conditions for women in the unorganised sector and livelihood opportunities and minimum wages.

Ms. Dikshit said it had now been decided to encourage partnership with NGOs in management of institutions run by the Department of Social Welfare. The Department of Social Welfare is running 45 institutions relating to children, women, beggars, handicapped and aged persons. The Cabinet also approved a business model for the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences, Vasant Kunj.

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