Empowerment of women, implementation of Food Bill discussed
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister, Dr Mukul Sangma and MPCC President, DD Lapang on Friday held discussions with Congress Vice-President, Rahul Gandhi about the progress made both by the Meghalaya Government and the party, mainly on empowerment of women, in the Hill State.
During the meeting the National Food Security Bill was discussed in detail along with other developmental issues.
Gandhi urged the Meghalaya Government to ensure that this very important Bill is implemented in letter and spirit, party sources said after the meeting. All BPL families must receive the benefits of this land mark bill, the Congress Vice-President emphasized.
The Bill seeks to provide highly subsidized food grains to the country’s two-third population.
Noting that the credit deposit ratio is quite low in the North East, Gandhi urged the Centre to create banks which will exclusively cater to the needs of women so as to empower them.
Financial help from the banking sector is one of the key elements to empower women, Gandhi said.
Meanwhile, Dr Sangma apprised Gandhi of the rural livelihood mission in Meghalaya.
The Congress Vice-President urged both the leaders to implement various announcements made in the party manifesto during the last Assembly elections. He also urged them to give special attention to various flagship programmes of the Union Government which gives succor to the poor.
The issue of constructing roads in rural areas, which is facing hurdles in the Hill State in the absence of forest clearance, was also discussed in the meeting. Gandhi assured that such specific problems will be sorted out in consultation with the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
Minister for Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh was also present in the meeting.