Date:12/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/12/stories/2007091259300800.htm

National

Shivraj promises all-out steps for women empowerment

Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL: Projecting his vision for the future, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has said that he wants Madhya Pradesh to emerge as a leading State for women’s empowerment.

The Chief Minister was delivering a speech after presenting the Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia Social Service Award to Manorama Joshi of Indore and the Rani Avantibai Bravery Award to Anita Lodhi of Panna at the State Academy of Administration here on Monday.

The awards, instituted by the State Women and Child Development Department, carry a citation and Rs. 1 lakh in cash.

Asserting that all necessary steps would be taken by the State Government to ensure women’s empowerment, Mr. Chauhan said special efforts were being made to improve the lot of women employed in the unorganised sector in Madhya Pradesh.

The Chief Minister said his Government had launched a special scheme which covers medical treatment and leave for delivery period besides scholarships and education facilities for labourers’ children.

He recalled the contributions of Rajmata Vijaya Raje Scindia in the field of social service and said that Rani Avantibai, the warrior queen, had laid down her life during the freedom struggle. The State Government has instituted the two awards to honour their memory.