Priyanka Gandhi Vadra promises 40 pc reservation for women in govt jobs, if voted to power in UP

Lucknow: Congress's National General Secretary and Uttar Pradesh in-charge Priyanka Gandhi Vadra released the party's women's manifesto here on Wednesday while adding another promise to hire 40 per cent reservation to women in state government jobs if voted to power in the 2022 assembly polls.

Releasing the women's manifesto called Shakti Vidhan, Priyanka said that for the first time in the political history of the country, a manifesto focused on women is being released by a political party.

The manifesto is divided into six parts – self-respect, self-reliance, education, respect, security and health.

Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday at the state party office, she said that today's women want to fight for themselves and thus the party has prepared this manifesto keeping in mind the same spirit.

Ms Vadra announced that if the Congress government is formed in UP, then women will get 40 percent reservation in government jobs. Besides this, 25 percent women will be recruited in the police department.

Launching the Congress manifesto for women for UP assembly polls, Ms Vadra said this would put pressure on other political parties to take women's participation seriously.

"Compassion, kindness and hope are the qualities of women. These qualities was also required in politics. Participation of women in politics is necessary so that women empowerment does not remain only on paper. An environment has to be given for women to have their say. Women are being exploited but they are fighting. That's where the slogan came from that "Ladki hu, Lar Sakti hu", she added.

Ms Vadra said that this manifesto prepared for women has been divided into six parts. First self-respect, second self-reliance, third education, fourth respect, fifth security and sixth health. She said, "We have announced to give tickets to 40 percent of women and now it will be taken up to 50 percent. With this we will try to fix the inequality of women in politics. The representation of women in parliament and assemblies is currently less than 14 percent. This percentage will increase when women get more tickets in politics," she said.

Congress general secretary said that if the Congress government is formed in UP, then 40 percent reservation will be given to women in government jobs. As Congress has announced earlier that it will give employment to 20 lakh people out of this, 20 lakh women will get jobs. She said that businesses employing up to 50 percent women would get tax exemption and assistance. The business women will be provided funds for loans and tax refunds at affordable rates. For working women, hostels which are safe and with the latest facilities will be made in 25 cities of the state.

Ms Vadra said that there should be empowerment of women in rural and cottage industries. "For this Anganwadi and ASHA workers will get an honorarium of Rs 10,000. Loans to help groups at an interest rate of four percent and women will be given priority in MNREGA. Along with this, women will be given reservation in 40 percent works of MNREGA. 50 percent of the ration shops in the state would be run by women," she further said.

She said that some more big steps will be taken for the empowerment of women in the education sector. "Inter pass girl students will be given smart phones. Similarly, scooty's will be given to the girls who have completed their graduation. 75 skill schools will be set up in the name of brave women in the state. Evening schools run by women will also be set up across the state especially in cities where women can study in the evening," she said.

Accusing the state government, she said that the empowerment of women has been limited to advertisement only, with the government spending up to 40 percent of the money on these advertisements.

Ms Vadra said that Mahila Choupal will be set in each of the Gram Panchayats.

"Free internet will be given to every poor families. Ten world-class residential sports academies will be built for women in partnership with private sector or international schools. A fixed deposit of a fixed amount will be made for each girl child born in the family. Trained social workers will be deployed to help women who face domestic violence," she further announced.

The Congress leader said that everyone knows the condition of women's safety in UP. "Everyday women visit me and narrate their pain. Police and administration are working with the criminal. But women have started raising their voice and demanding their rights. There is a good response from girls on this issue," she claimed.

Congress had promised smart phones to girl students who have passed their intermediate exams and scooty's to girls who have completed their education if the party forms the government in Uttar Pradesh. It has also announced to give three free cylinders of LPG to women annually. An announcement has also been made for free bus service for women and the appointment of 40 percent women according to the provisions of reservation in new government posts.

Along with this, an announcement has also been made by the party to give an honorarium of Rs 10,000 per month to Anganwadi and ASHA workers and to increase old age and widow pension to Rs 1,000. Announcement has also been made to establish 75 skill schools in the name of veterans in the state. (UNI)