Farooq questions intent behind delay in passing Women Reservation Bill in Parliament

JAMMU, March 08, 2021: Without naming the BJP, National Confidence President Dr Farooq Abdullah today questioned the intent behind delay in passing the pending Women’s Reservation Bill to give 33 per cent representation to women in Parliament to ensure their political empowerment.

“Instead, unexplainable urgency was shown to pass the three farm bills without extensive debate or  consulting the stakeholders, who constitute major chunk of population across the country”, Dr Farooq Abdullah said while addressing a day long convention, held in observance of International Women Day at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhavan here, organised by State Vice President NC Women Wing Mrs Bimla Luthra.

Dr Farooq said without political empowerment, women empowerment and emancipation will remain a distant dream. If the society has to grow harmoniously, their role in decision making will have to be ensured. This is the least women need to prosper and progress, he added.

The National Conference President made a parallel to passing of bills on abrogating special status of Jammu and Kashmir and the three farm laws, saying while earlier will deprive the state subjects here of their lands and jobs, the latter will lead to the corporate sector fiddle with the holdings of poor peasants across the nation.

“The balloon of promises with regard to jobs and development in Jammu and Kashmir post repealing of Article 370 and Article 35 A has punctured”, Dr Abdullah said, adding that nothing is visible on ground zero. On the contrary the normal process of development has come to a grinding halt, resulting in defunct utility services, erratic power and drinking water supply besides dilapidated condition of the road network. The tall claims of a Rs 80,000 crore package was a big joke. Same is true about the latest announcement on release of Rs 28000 crore for the so-called development of Jammu and Kashmir, he maintained.

The NC President expressed concern over unprecedented hike in fuel prices and LPG gas cylinders, saying this has hit the masses the most. Inflation is staring at the poor with house wives facing the brunt on account of skyrocketing prices of the essential commodities. He said soaring prices and transportation charges have broken the backbone of the poor.

Dr Farooq Abdullah greeted the women on International Women Day, saying the National Conference has all along stood for their empowerment and emancipation. The party has given adequate space to women in decision making and ensured their empowerment in various fields. They have excelled as well by dint of their hardwork and determination. They have proved second to none and even excelled especially in the field of education.

Speaking on the occasion, the State President NC Women Wing, Mrs Shameema Firdous  enumerated various measures taken by the successive National Conference government with regard to women empowerment. The party has a track record of undertaking female literacy in a big way and facilitating women to launch their income generating units. She recalled the achievements of women in different fields and the discerning mark they have made in academics.

Highlighting the steps taken by NC for women empowerment, State Vice President NC Women Wing Mrs Bimla Luthra referred to increase of 50 per cent seats in medical colleges by NC Government as also 33 per cent reservation in grass root level democratic institutions, saying these have instilled a sense of confidence among them.

Various other speakers also highlighted the crucial need of women empowerment for harmonious growth of the society.

Besides Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana and former minister Mr Surjeet Singh Slathia, those present on the occasion included Mr Rattan Lal Gupta, Mr Mubarak Gul, Mirza Abdul Rashid, Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari, Th. Kashmira Singh, Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Babu Rampaul,  S. Gurdeep Singh Sasan, Mrs Deepender Kour, Mrs Satwant Kour Dogra, Mrs Swaran Latta, Mrs Reeta Gupta,  Dr. Shamshad Shan,  Mrs Rashida Begum, Mr Abdul Gani Teli, Mr Vijay Lochan,  Mr Pardeep Bali,  Mr Israr Khan,  Mr Dharamveer Singh Jamwal, Mr Sajjad Shaheen, Mr Tarshem Khullar, Mr Naresh Bittu,  Mr Iftkhair Choudhary, Mr S. Tejinder Singh, Mr S. Sandeep Singh,   Mrs Hassena Begum, Mrs Asha Mehra,  Dr. Amina, Mrs Bharti Mrs Jyoti, Mrs Rita, Mrs Shaktula, Mrs Tilki, Mrs Rani, Mrs Savita, Mrs Pooja, Mrs Veena and others.