#Day63: Women Are Key Stakeholders In Peace-Building, says Mehbooba

   

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Terming women as key stakeholders in peace-building, Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti Friday reiterated her Government’s commitment to work for the safety, development and empowerment of J&K’s womenfolk.

“While women bear the maximum brunt of any kind of violence, at the same time they are key stakeholder in bringing about sustainable peace,” the Chief Minister said while addressing separate functions at Women’s College Gandhi Nagar and Women’s College Parade in Jammu organized in connection with the launch of a new ‘Scooty Finance’ scheme in the State under which J&K Government will provide Scooties to the college going girls by sponsoring 50% of the cost, an official spokesperson said this evening.

Terming the scheme a part of an endeavour to empower the girl child and to facilitate her independent mobility, the Chief Minister said that the State Government will facilitate 50% sponsorship of the cost of Scooty for around 1500 college going girls in J&K.

These vehicles, she said will enable girl’s independence of mobility and at the same time promote confidence in them, she said.

Enumerating various initiatives taken by her Government towards the empowerment of girls, Ms Mehbooba said that ‘Laadli Beti’ scheme has been launched to create a strong positive disposition towards the girl child and aims to reverse the alarming trend of declining child sex ratio. The scheme addresses the concerns of girl’s right from birth to adulthood by providing financial security to them, she added.

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She said another initiative in this regard is starting of ladies special buses meant exclusively to facilitate safe and easy commutation for women both in Jammu and Srinagar.

“With this initiative, I can now assure that my sisters and daughters need not be concerned about intimidation in public transport,” she said

The Chief Minister said that the Government has increased the number of woman police stations across the state and it is an important initiative towards ensuring safety of women folk and will help women to put forth their grievances or complaints without any hesitation.

Highlighting the importance of education, Ms Mehbooba said that it is the most important tool that a girl can have to make her feel and be independent.

She added that besides focused attention on education sector, the Government is also committed to create more job avenues and to enhance employability of women.

“To help women be financially and economically independent, Woman Entrepreneurship Development Institutes are coming up both in Jammu and Srinagar, so as to enable women start their own income generating ventures,” she said.

Ms Mehbooba asked the parents to give ample opportunities to the girls to grow and live their dreams. She said that parents should understand the aptitude of their children and let them pursue a career of their choice and excel in that field.

She also advised the girls not to meekly tolerate any sort of harassment and speak out for their rights.

“With growing trend of nuclear families our family support system has been affected and children have less interaction with their parents, you should have more such interactions so that your siblings share their good and bad experiences with you,” she asked the young girls.

The Chief Minister said that every religion has acknowledged the strengths and importance of women.

“Though she may not match a man physically but women are bestowed with immense mental strength to take on any challenge,” she said and added that her father and the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed “was always sensitive towards issues pertaining to women safety and empowerment and various initiatives were taken with an aim to change the perception towards female child”.

The Chief Minister said that the Scooty Scheme will not only give flight to the dreams of the girls who come from lower socio-economic background but will also boost their self-confidence.

“With the Government’s initiative of providing financial support, more college going girls shall be able to purchase a Scooty of their own as they will have to pay only for 50% of the cost”, the Chief Minister said.

However, she advised the young girls to always follow traffic rules, wear helmets and exhibit responsible behaviour while on wheels.

Pertinently, being the first woman Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti has already taken several women specific initiatives in the State, and in line with this, a provision of 50% subsidy on purchase of a Scooty was kept in the budget 2016-17 for college going girls by the Finance Minister, Dr Haseeb Drabu.

Earlier, the Chief Minister handed over the Scooty keys to the students under the scheme. 150 Scooties were given away under the scheme in each college during the function. The scheme is also being launched in Srinagar shortly.

CM Launches ‘Scooty for Girls’ Scheme

Chief Minister, Ms Mehbooba Mufti Friday formally launched the Scooty Finance scheme for J&K’s college going girls which was announced by the State Government in Budget 2016-17.

The scheme was launched by the Chief Minister at two separate functions organized at Women’s College, Gandhi Nagar and Women’s College Parade in Jammu, the official spokesperson added.

The scheme envisages that the State Government will facilitate purchase of Scooties by the college going girls by bearing 50% cost of the two-wheeler.

As per the scheme, a girl student pursuing a degree course of not less than three year duration can apply under the scheme. She should have secured not less than 65% marks in 10+2 and current degree course years.

The student should not be less than 18 years of age, having a valid driving license.

The yearly income of the applicant’s parents/guardian should not be more than Rs 4 lakh and should be able to finance the remaining 50% of the Scooty amount on ex-showroom price.

The student may also have to submit a bond certifying certain conditions under the scheme. The scheme shall be available within a fixed time period as specified by the Government of J&K and selection of “Scooty Sponsorship” shall be determined on merit, at locations specified by the Government.

For receipt of forms from applicants one-week period may be kept from the date of announcement of ‘Scooty for girls’ scheme, under the ‘empowering the girl child’ program, for each nominated college. Government has tied up with an International Automobile Company for discounted prices on Scooties.

All completed forms accepted within one week, in respective districts, will then be verified and sorted. On the date of distribution, verified forms of applicants will be selected via a draw of lots.

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