The Ernakulam District panchayat will continue with the ongoing welfare policies for women and other weaker sections during the next fiscal, said district panchayat vice-president Bindu George, .
“We will continue the long-term projects as well as initiate new welfare projects that will cater to the needs of women and marginalised sections,”, she said.
According to Bindu, a major attraction will be the construction of ‘Nirbhaya Kendram’ for women at Edakkatuvayal panchayat near Tripunithura.
“Nirbhaya Kendram will be a shelter for destitute, victims of sexual and domestic violence. The inhabitants will be given medical and legal aid, counselling, and options like job training which will help in rehabilitation. The state government will support us in the initiative,” she said.
Bindu added that the district panchayat will closely work with mechanisms like Kudumbashree to address the developmental needs of the women.
“The district panchayat will start a sale outlet for products manufactured in the micro-enterprising units run by Kudumbashree. We have prepared projects to start sales outlets in all panchayats. The land will be provided to panchayats and proceedings in this regard will be expedited,” she said.
The vice-president said the district panchayat has prepared a project to encourage vegetable cultivation among women. “In association with Kudumbashree, we will distribute vegetable seeds to selected homes. The idea is to cultivate vegetables in 780 hectares. The project will ensure a decent income to women as well as address the problem of vegetable shortage,” she said.
“The success of the ongoing project which focused on woman farmers in the pineapple industry prompted us to design this vegetable project,” she added.