BHOPAL: Cutting across party lines, all women legislators of Madhya Pradesh Assembly today participated in a debate on the budgetary demands of Women and Child Development department after the House unanimously passed a resolution to this effect.
The proposal to make it an all-woman affair was mooted by state Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra yesterday when the discussion on the department's budgetary demands began and the House unanimously agreed to it.
When the discussion began today, former minister and BJP MLA Archana Chitnis, who was in chair, ensured that all women members present in the House get an opportunity to put forth their views on the issues directly associated with them.
During the debate, the members came up with a number of suggestions for the welfare of the women and children in state.
In her reply, Women and Child Development Minister Maya Singh said a total of 4,905 new Anganwadi centres will be opened in the state in new financial year.
"This will ensure that each member of the House will get a chance to open at least five anganwadi centres and two mini anganwadis as per the norms in their respective constituencies," Singh said.
The minister also announced setting up of hostels for working women in Bhopal, Indore, Gwalior and Jabalpur.
Singh said a total of 22 lakh girls got benefited with the government's flagship 'Ladli Laxmi Scheme' and various measures being taken for to prevent child marriages.
After the Minister's reply, the House unanimously passed with a voice vote the budgetary demands of over Rs 2,706.93 crore concerning her department.