Underlining the role of women in checking the menace of female foeticide and drug addiction among youth Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Saturday said “these are threat to the future of the State”. Omar was speaking at a function after he launched UMEED programme for women empowerment and welfare with All India Congress Committee Vice President, Rahul Gandhi here.
According to Global News Service, Omar while speaking at a function said the reports of female foeticide from Jammu and Kashmir are of greater concern and alarming while drug addiction among the youth is equally disturbing. He said that these two dangerous social diseases, if not restricted well in time, the future of the State would be endangered. “The women groups to be organized under UMEED have a special role to play in eradicating these evils.”
Omar called upon them to focus on these important concerns and safeguard the future of the State. “While attending other socio-economic problems the society is confronted with, women have to pert special attention for checking female foeticide and drug addiction.”Chief Minister assured full support of his government for the success of UMEED and referred the efforts of Union Minister for Rural Development, Jairam Ramesh and All India Congress Committee Vice President Rahul Gandhi for getting this Rs 750 crore programme through at the Union Government level. He also sought similar support of Rahul Gandhi in getting cleared various other issues of Jammu and Kashmir pending with the Union Government.
“The empowerment of women in the State has been flagged as a focused area by his government and 33 percent reservation in Panchayat Elections for Women vindicates this intention,” Omar said.Speaking on the occasion, All India Congress Committee Vice President, Rahul Gandhi said the holistic development of the society is not possible without the active participation of women in the development process. He said the faster growth and eradication of poverty in the States like Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra is because of the empowerment of women and their active participation in development programmes.
“Union Government has sanctioned Rs 750 crore under UMEED programme to Jammu and Kashmir to organize self-help groups of women for addressing their economic challenges and contributing in curbing the social evils,” Rahul said.
He cited the example of Amethi Parliamentary Constituency which he represents in the Parliament and said that UMEED like initiative has given confidence to women to work and stand up on their own feet.Rahul expressed confidence that the scheme would revolutionize the status of rural women in Jammu and Kashmir along with addressing social issues confronting the society. He also assured support to the women for the success of UMEED in the State and told them to work with devotion, dedication and full confidence. “We can provide you every sort of help but you have to work yourselves to achieve goals of welfare, social justice and development.”
Asked about his stand on revocation of AFSPA, Rahul declined to comment on the issue. "It is a discussion between the Chief Minister and the Prime Minister. It is not appropriate for me to make a statement," Gandhi told reporters on the sidelines of a function.However, Rahul Gandhi cancelled his visit to Chenab Valley due to bad weather. He was scheduled to review the relief measures for earthquake victims in the region.Later on, Omar Abdullah thanked Rahul Gandhi for visiting the State and launching the scheme for entire Jammu and Kashmir today.
Chief Minister said the UMEED programme which was last year launched for only four blocks of the State would now cover entire Jammu and Kashmir. “The programme would help in a big way to organize women and empower them to address the socio-economic issues and create wide-ranging livelihood earning opportunities for women.”He lauded the women of Jammu and Kashmir for actively participating in women empowerment programmes. “The contesting of women candidates for all 33 percent reserved Panchayat Halqas determines the courage and enthusiasm of women of the State to be equal part in the development process.”
Under the UMEED programme, 90,000 self-help groups linking 9 lakh women in 143 blocks which cover 4098 Panchayats of the State would be organized in five years to ameliorate their lot and address problems confronting women in different fields of life, besides ensuring their economic upliftment.