Chandigarh, Apr 15 (PTI) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Wednesday said that the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” will provide women a leadership role in the country’s policy-making.
Addressing a gathering during an event here, Saini highlighted the schemes launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the welfare of women and said that when he gave the slogan “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” from Panipat, Haryana in 2015, it echoed across the country.
It also brought a change in societal mindset, leading to a nationwide movement to save and educate daughters. As a result, there has been a significant improvement in the sex ratio in the country. Haryana’s sex ratio, which was 871 at that time, has now increased to 923, he said.
He described schemes such as Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, Mudra Yojana, Stand-Up India, One Stop Centre Scheme, Women Helpline-181 and Nirbhaya Fund as strengthening women’s safety.
Saini said that earlier, women were not given higher positions in the armed forces. However, Prime Minister Modi’s government granted permanent commission to women officers in the defence services. Girls have also been allowed admission in Sainik Schools, and subsequently, entry for women has been opened in the National Defence Academy (NDA).
The chief minister said that India now has the highest number of women pilots in the world. Moreover, more than 100 women played an important role in the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission.
The roles of Colonel Sophia Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh during Operation Sindoor were well recognised. This clearly shows that whenever women are given opportunities, they prove themselves, he said.
He added that the number of girls taking admission in IITs has more than doubled. Before 2016, only eight per cent of girls were admitted, which has now increased to over 20 per cent.
Saini said that Haryana has provided 50 per cent representation to women in panchayati raj Institutions, resulting in significant improvements in areas like water, education, health and sanitation in villages.
He said that the campaign for women’s dignity and respect led by the prime minister over the past 11 years has now culminated in the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam”.
A special three-day sitting of Parliament has been convened from April 16 to 18, during which amendments to the “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam”, commonly known as the Women’s Reservation Act, mandating 33 per cent reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, will be brought for implementation in 2029.
The chief minister said that this law remained pending for decades, with previous governments limiting it to discussions without showing the will to implement it.
However, Prime Minister Modi has treated this issue not merely as a political matter but as a foundation for nation-building. Its implementation will mark the victory of the aspirations of millions of women across the country, he said.
He said that the law provides 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state assemblies, bringing them into the mainstream of decision-making. It gives women not just participation but a leadership role in policy-making. This reflects the vision of a new India where daughters will not only dream but also realise those dreams, Saini said.
On the occasion, Haryana’s Minister of Women and Child Development Shruti Choudhry called “Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam” a historic decision for women’s empowerment. PTI SUN KSS KSS
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