RS PURA, APR 16: Rattan Lal Gupta, Provincial President Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Jammu has strongly criticized the Govt for its failure to provide due rights to women despite claiming to be strong votaries of women empowerment. He said that the fact remains that instead of empowerment the women have been experiencing the worst environment sans any scope for living a normal life, not to talk of empowerment which seems to be an unachievable dream during the incumbent Bharatiya Janata Party regime at the Centre and its proxy governance in J&K Union Territory. He said that the condition of women living in border areas of J&K is all the more miserable.
The senior National Conference leader expressed this while addressing a huge gathering during a daylong convention of Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) Women Wing Jammu Rural B held under the chairmanship of Daljeet Sharma, District President Rural B here today.
On the occasion, Rattan Lal Gupta, who was the Chief Guest, said that BJP Govt is making tall claims of having empowered women and doing justice with the weaker sex but unfortunately they are trying to exploit the women folk at their vote bank. He said the people now understand and know very well that BJP has betrayed the people including women. He said that women empowerment has always been and will continue to be at the top of the National Conference Agenda in all times to come.
The senior NC leader said that if the Govt at the Centre is so much serious about women empowerment then the Women Reservation Bill which is lying before the Parliament should be passed immediately. This would be the first result oriented step towards empowerment of women in letter and spirit.
Rattan Lal asserted that women folk now realize that they have been befooled by the BJP and its leaders on the front of women empowerment and they are ready to teach it a lesson whenever the elections are held.
The meeting earlier commenced with Daljeet Sharma, District President Rural B welcoming those present in the meeting and then highlighting the problems being faced by women residing in border areas.
Sheikh Bashir Ahmed, Provincial Secretary JKNC in his address on the occasion, said that Govt besides empowering the women in reality should also fulfill its promise of providing employment to border the youth in belt forces of this country.
Satwant Dogra, Provincial President Women Wing JKNC Jammu, while addressing the meeting, stated that the incumbent government has made the life of women full of stress rather miserable as the sky rocketing prices and inflation at peak have made it very difficult for them to fulfill the kitchen budgetary requirements which is the women’s topmost priority. Moreover development claims too are hollow as there is nothing visible on ground.
Bimla Luthra, Vice President Women Wing JKNC, while addressing the meeting, appealed to women folk to support and strengthen the hands of Dr Farooq and Omar Abdullah for the overall development of J&K and especially for the empowerment of J&K women in letter and spirit.
Naresh Bittu, District President said farmers who are the food producers are facing apathy of the Govt with their very survival at stake. He said that the BJP Govt stands exposed on all fronts.
Among others who were present include Pardeep Bali, Naresh Bittu, Devraj, Jitender, Shakuntla Devi and Lambardar Madan Lal.