Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: Terming women as key stakeholders in peace-building, Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti today reiterated her Government’s commitment to work for the safety, development and empowerment of J&K’s womenfolk.
“While women bear the maximum brunt of any kind of violence, at the same time they are key stakeholder in bringing about sustainable peace,” the Chief Minister said while addressing separate functions at Women’s College Gandhi Nagar and Women’s College Parade here organized in connection with the launch of a new ‘Scooty Finance’ scheme in the State under which J&K Government will provide scooties to the college going girls by sponsoring 50% of the cost. The scheme was announced by State Government in Budget 2016-17.
Also present on the occasion were, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Kavinder Gupta, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar, Vice -Chairman of J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Schedule Castes, Bhushan Lal Dogra and MLA Jammu East, Rajesh Gupta.
Terming the scheme a part of an endeavor to empower the girl child and to facilitate her independent mobility, the Chief Minister said that the State Government will facilitate 50% sponsorship of the cost of Scooty for around 1500 college going girls in J&K. These vehicles, she said will enable girl’s independence of mobility and at the same time promote confidence in them.
Enumerating various initiatives taken by her Government towards the empowerment of girls, Mehbooba said that ‘Laadli Beti’ scheme has been launched to create a strong positive disposition towards the girl child and aims to reverse the alarming trend of declining child sex ratio. The scheme addresses the concerns of girl’s right from birth to adulthood by providing financial security to them, she added.
She said another initiative in this regard is starting of ladies special buses meant exclusively to facilitate safe and easy commutation for women both in Jammu and Srinagar.
The Chief Minister said that the Government has increased the number of woman police stations across the State and it is an important initiative towards ensuring safety of women folk and will help women to put forth their grievances or complaints without any hesitation.
Highlighting the importance of education, Mehbooba said that it is the most important tool that a girl can have to make her feel and be independent. She added that besides focused attention on education sector, the Government is also committed to create more job avenues and to enhance employability of women. “To help women be financially and economically independent, Woman Entrepreneurship Development Institutes are coming up both in Jammu and Srinagar, so as to enable women start their own income generating ventures,” she added.
She also advised the girls not to meekly tolerate any sort of harassment and speak out for their rights. “With growing trend of nuclear families our family support system has been affected and children have less interaction with their parents, you should have more such interactions so that your siblings share their good and bad experiences with you”, she asked the young girls.
The Chief Minister said that every religion has acknowledged the strengths and importance of women. “Though she may not match a man physically but women are bestowed with immense mental strength to take on any challenge,” she said and added that her father and the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed has always been sensitive towards issues pertaining to women safety and empowerment and various initiatives were taken with an aim to change the perception towards female child.
As per the scooty scheme, a girl student pursuing a degree course of not less than three year duration can apply under the scheme. She should have secured not less than 65% marks in 10+2 and current degree course years. The student should not be less than 18 years of age, having a valid driving license.
The yearly income of the applicant’s parents/guardian should not be more than Rs 4 lakh and should be able to finance the remaining 50% of the Scooty amount on ex-showroom price. The student may also have to submit a bond certifying certain conditions under the scheme. The scheme shall be available within a fixed time period as specified by the Government of J&K and selection of “Scooty Sponsorship” shall be determined on merit, at locations specified by the Government.
For receipt of forms from applicants one-week period may be kept from the date of announcement of ‘Scooty for girls’ scheme, under the ’empowering the girl child’ program, for each nominated college. Government has tied up with an International Automobile Company for discounted prices on Scooties. All completed forms accepted within one week, in respective districts, will then be verified and sorted. On the date of distribution, verified forms of applicants will be selected via a draw of lots.
Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over the Scooty keys to the students under the scheme. 150 Scooties were given away under the scheme in each college during the function. The scheme is also being launched in Srinagar shortly.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said that throughout the history of evolution of mankind women have faced and bravely overcome numerous societal challenges and created a niche for themselves in every sphere of life. He said we are passing through a transition face wherein women have successfully ventured in different fields and from homemakers are steadily becoming equal partners in nation’s progress and development.
While addressing the gathering, Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar said time has come to break away from the socio-cultural taboos and give the women their due respect and importance in the society. He said the Scooty Finance scheme may be the first step towards empowering our girls but it will definitely turn into a revolution for redefining our society in a positive direction.
Commissioner Secretary, Higher Education, Dr Asgar Hassan Samoon, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Dr Pawan Kotwal, IGP Jammu, Danesh Rana, Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Simrandeep Singh and other officers of the divisional and district administration were also present on the occasion.
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