Women's panel chairperson in a month's time: Umashree

 Under pressure from women’s groups, Women and Child Development Minister Umashree on Monday announced that the State government will appoint the chairperson of the State Women’s Commission in a month’s time.

Members of various women’s groups staged a protest at a function organised by the State government to confer the Kittur Rani Chennamma awards. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya were present. The protesters shouted slogans against the government, causing embarrassment to the chief minister and his Cabinet colleagues.

They also heckled Umashree during her speech. The minister stopped her speech midway and met the protesters who submitted a memorandum to her. As many as 1,500 cases are pending before the Commission. In the absence of the chairperson, these cases are languishing. Though the Congress came to power over a year ago in the State, it has not appointed a head to the Commission, they pointed out.

Siddaramaiah said the government had decided to increase the revolving fund for each of the Stree Shakti groups from Rs 5,000 to Rs 25,000. The State government will implement it from this financial year, he said.

There are about 1.40 lakh self-help groups with an estimated 20 lakh members. Loans up to Rs 1 lakh will be given to each of the members at six per cent interest. Besides, the government will fill 8,500 posts in the State police. Of this, about 20 per cent will be reserved for women, he said.

The chief minister gave away the Kittur Rani Chennamma award to six organisations and 18 individuals who have worked in the field of women’s development.