INVC,,
Shimla,,
Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, was greeted on auspicious ‘Raksha Bandhan’ Festival by people from all walks of life at his official residence, Oakover, here today where Brahm Kumaris, Tibetan Women, Women NGOs and other sections of the society tied the sacred thread of ‘Raksha Bandhan’ around his wrist and wished him a long and healthy life.
Chief Minister thanked all the people assembled at his residence to greet him on the auspicious festival and for the affection and blessings showered upon him. He said that it has been possible due to the blessings of common man and their good wishes that the State Government had created history on development and social welfare fronts. He said that women welfare had been on priority agenda and it was during BJP regime that women were provided 50 percent reservation which had yielded encouraging results as 58 percent women had emerged victorious during recently concluded elections of the panchayati raj institutions. He said that the State Government had declared public holiday on ‘Raksha Bandhan’, ‘Bhaiya Dooj’ and ‘Karva Chowth’ to working women while all women were eligible to travel free in HRTC buses on ‘Raksha Bandhan’ and ‘Bhaiya Dooj’ festivals. He said that women belonging to Muslim community had also been provided similar facilities on their festivals.
Prof. Dhumal reiterated the resolve of the State Government to protect interest of women folk and provide them every opportunity to progress ahead to be self reliant and independent in their life. He said that the State Government had also decided to encourage women participation in cooperative societies where 33percent reservation had also been provided to them so that cooperative sector was also strengthened with their active participation.
