Arunachal: Constitution Day Celebrated

ITANAGAR-   Extending gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi under whose leadership the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam was introduced and passed unanimously by both the Houses of Parliament, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that women in India will now exercise  greater legislative powers, and play an even greater role in the development of the country.

Speaking at the Constitution Day celebrations here at the State Legislative Assembly Khandu said that this Constitutional Amendment provides 33 percent vertical reservation to women in all three categories in Parliament – General (including OBC), Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.

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“It is worth mentioning that there 4 attempts by previous Governments for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill, which was first brought by the then Government in 1996. But it was only due to the steadfast determination of the Narendra Modi Government that this Bill could become law in 2023. The Bill serves as another reminder of the BJP Government’s unerring focus on women’s empowerment and women-led development. It is a significant move that this year’s Constitution Day has been rechristened as the Pink Constitution Day, commemorating the passage of Women’s Reservation Bill,” Khandu said.

He further said that to fulfil the aspirations of the Prime Minister, the state government is taking strides toward women-led development, embracing progress, empowerment and equality for a brighter, inclusive future.

He informed that 47.34% of Panchayat representatives in Arunachal Pradesh  are women and expressed hope that the number of women representatives crosses 50%, including in the State Legislative Assembly.

“Our Government has provided more than 50,000 women with LPG connections under the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. We have sanctioned more than 47,000 houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Close to 99% of our households have been provided household water connections. We have constructed more than 27,000 toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

Nearly 1.5 lakh beneficiaries are receiving free rations under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana. Our 6,225 Anganwadi Centres regularly provide nutritional and health support to 1.8 lakh pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. Our State currently serves 34,226 beneficiaries under the Poshan Abhiyan. We have also ensured safe deliveries of 25,563 women through the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. We have mobilized more than 85,000 women into SHGs and provided them with Rs. 33 Crore bank credit to enable them to take up entrepreneurship activities,” Khandu added.

Paying rich tributes to Bharat Ratna Dr. B R Ambedkar on his 125th birth anniversary, he said that as Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the  Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar has left an indelible mark and legacy on the history of modern India.

“The Constitution is a living document that represents a vision for a dynamic and modern India. That India was one of the first countries to offer equal voting rights to women is also  a testament to the vision of our founding fathers,” he said.

Present on the occasion were Governor Lt General (Rtd) KT Parnaik as the chief guest, Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha, Harivansh Narayan Singh as the keynote speaker, Speaker P D Sona, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, Deputy Speaker Tesam Pongte, cabinet ministers and MLAs.

Earlier in the day, Governor Lt General KT Parnaik unveiled a statue of Mahatma Gandhi themed ‘Into the Future’ to mark the occasion outside the Assembly building.

The statue is first of its kind in the country, depicting that a child leads the Father of Nation.