BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan announced at the first Mahila Panchayat held here on Sunday that reservation for women in local bodies would be increased from 33 per cent to 50 percent if there was consensus among the women participants. Representatives of Panchyati Raj institutions, chief functionaries of self help groups, and anganwadi workers were prominent among those who attended the Mahila Panchayat.

Inaugurating the Panchayat, the Chief Minister said there would be gender budgeting from the next financial year to ensure that women, particularly those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and Tribes get the benefit of the beneficiary-oriented schemes. He announced the Surakshit Kanya Yojana under which Rs. 1 lakh would be deposited in the name of poor girls till they attain the age of 21.

Speaking on a range of gender issues, the Chief Minister announced that there would be a special desk in select urban police stations to enable women lodge complaints. The plan is to have such special desks in all police stations across the State, he said, adding that adequate arrangements would be made to protect witnesses, especially women, and all steps would be taken to ensure that the culprits get punished.

He said that those giving information about female foeticide would be given a cash reward of Rs. 10,000. He also announced that 10 per cent posts in the police force would be reserved for women and said that a proposal to launch a "Helpline for Women" was under consideration.

The Chief Minister said that all steps would be taken for advancement of women and there would be adequate budgetary provision to meet this objective. He gave the assurance that the honorarium for Anganwadi workers would be increased and women's Self Help Groups would be provided necessary assistance.

Regarding the objective of the Mahila Panchayat, he said that this unique event had been organised to invite suggestions from women to draw a state-level policy for women. He said this was an apolitical event and women from different political backgrounds had come to the State Capital to join the event. He said that women enjoyed a pivotal position in Indian society since ancient times but their position had been adversely affected due to several factors. On the occasion, the Chief Minister launched a `Mother and Child protection card' for new born children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. This card contains essential information both for the community members and service providers like anganwadi workers and health workers to monitor health of the mother and child.

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