Punjab's local government, tourism and cultural affairs minister, Navjot Singh Sidhu on Saturday said his government is fully committed to accord women a place of honour and dignity in the society. Sidhu said, their empowerment across all spheres is an article of faith with the government.
Expressing these views on Saturday while inaugurating a photo exhibition on ‘Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao’ organised by the Photo Journalist Welfare Association. He said, only those societies deserve a claim to prosperity which provide equal opportunities for women in social, political and economic spheres. He also divulged that as part of its commitment to empower women in all the fields, the state government has given 50 per cent reservation to women in the local bodies and municipal council or nagar panchayats besides according them 33 per cent reservation in the jobs.
Lauding the efforts of the photo-journalist community, the minister said that the exceptional creative genius displayed by the photo-journalists deserves to be fully applauded and the par excellence photographs put on display vividly touch and depict every aspect related to women. The minister also announced financial assistance of Rs.3 lakh from his discretionary quota to the association on the occasion.