COMING SOON

said. “I have accepted the request,” he added without specifying how much time has been given to Raut.

Earlier, Raut had sparked chaos in the House after he called the legislature a “chormandal” (council of thieves). His comment also prompted members of the ruling BJP and Shiv Sena to submit to the speaker a notice for breach of privilege motion against the MP.

“This is not a legislature but a band of thieves. What if we are removed from the post are we going to leave the party? Many such posts have been given to us by the party, Balasaheb had given them, and Uddhav ji has given them, we are not hawkers,” Raut had allegedly said.

Pawar said the new policy should provide for social security for women and also their financial empowerment. Domestic violence is often not reported because women do not speak out about such issues and the new policy should address this problem, the Leader of Opposition added.

NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal praised the decision of the BJP gov-

Mumbai (PTI): Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) president and former Union minister Sharad Pawar on Wednesday recalled resistance he faced from certain quarters while implementing decisions related to women empowerment, including inducting female officers into the armed forces, but said when an administrator is strong policies get eventually executed. The veteran parliamentarian held key portfolios of defence (1991-1993) and agriculture (200414) as a Union minister and also served as chief minister of Maharashtra four times during his

ernment in neighbouring Madhya Pradesh to provide an allowance of Rs1,000 per month to women from the financially weaker section. There was a time when Maharashtra took the lead in intro -

Centre wants to make women ‘lakhpatis’: Min decades-long political career. Pawar said while serving as chief minister of Maharashtra, he chose to handle the women and child welfare department instead of crucial portfolios like the home which changed people's perspective about his administration. Pawar said many decisions taken by him while in government were not appreciated by his male colleagues, including his move to give equal share in family property to women. The former CM, however, asserted that despite facing opposition, he went ahead with decisions that empowered women. ducing such measures, the former minister said.

Bhujbal also demanded that the House pass a resolution demanding a 50% quota for women in Parliament and state legislatures.

Beed bizman assaulted; FIR names NCP MLA

Aurangabad (PTI):

First India Bureau Thane: Union Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Giriraj Singh on Wednesday said the Central government has resolved to make members of women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) “lakhpatis”.

“There are 86,000 SHGs in India which include 9 crore women. In the last eight years, the government has dis- bursed Rs6.26 lakh crore to these women. It is the dream of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make each and every member of SHGs a lakhpati. We are working in that direction,” he said, after inaugurating a oneday workshop of women and an exhibition at Shahapur in Thane district. Meanwhile, a section of the pandal put up for the event collapsed due to heavy winds.

New women’s policy to be rolled out during Budget session

First India Bureau

Mumbai: The state will introduce a new women’s policy during the ongoing Budget Session, the government said on Wednesday.

Women and Child Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha announced the decision in the Legislative Assembly while replying to a debate on the issue, which was initiated in the House to mark Inter- national Women’s Day.

The state government will take note of all the suggestions put forth by MLAs with regard to welfare, security and empowerment of women, Lodha said, and will also table its performance report on decisions related to women empowerment regularly.

Shinde

CM Eknath also be announced. A sented on Thursday, will be women-centric and dedicated to middle-class people.

A women’s bazaar to promote products of Self-Help Groups has also been proposed every month in all districts, the minister added. As much as 50% of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds should be allocated for women’s causes, he said.

An attempt-to-murder case has been registered against Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) legislator Prakash Solanke, his wife and others after a group of unidentified people attacked a businessman in Beed district, an official said on Wednesday.

A businessman named Ashok Shejul was allegedly beaten up by unidentified people in Majalgaon city on Tuesday. Solanke represents the Majalgaon constituency. In his complaint, Shejul said the attackers came on bikes and hit him with pipes.

“We will be fulfilling our promises (when the Budget is presented) Everyone is anticipating what the Budget will hold for them. I can tell you that it will look to fulfill the needs and aspirations of women and the middle class.

“janata be held for women at

Speaking later, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said the state Budget, which is to be pre -

This government is committed to working for the people,” he said.

The attackers told Shejul that he should be killed because he keeps complaining about "Prakashdada's" (MLA Solanke) organisation, the official said. On the businessman's complaint, the police registered a case under Indian Penal Code sections, including 307, against the MLA, his wife, a man and five to six unidentified persons, the official said, adding that the complainant is being treated at a private hospital.