Mummy doubts commitment

PANJIM, MARCH 22
St Cruz legislator and the only woman MLA in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Victoria Fernandes today questioned the State government commitment in granting reservations to women.
Speaking on the congratulatory motion moved by the Speaker Pratapsing Rane to congratulate the members of the Rajya Sabha for passing the Women’s Reservation Bill by amending the Constitution, Mrs Fernandes said that only making statements in the House would not help.
“The Bill was pending for over a decade and should have been passed long ago,” she said.
Pointing to the speeches made by the Congress members, the Congress MLA said, “Simply don’t make statements for women empowerment as that will not help, the government needs to do much more.”
“I am the only lady MLA in the 40-member Assembly, and if you dare, give the cabinet berth,” she said.
Speaking further on the Bill, she said, “When the Women’s Bill is passed by the Lok Sabha it will give the women their rights.”
“Women are soft hearted and that will help them understand people’s issues,” she said.
Deputy Speaker Mauvin Godinho joining the discussion congratulated the Rajya Sabha members for passing the Bill.
“By the time the next assembly members are elected we will have 13 women MLAs,” he said adding, “This will empower the women and give them their rights as 50 per cent of our population are women”.
He said the UPA has done the right thing by moving the Bill as “this will put an end to many agitations and turmoil.”
“Along with the Congress and its allies I also congratulate the Opposition MPs who voted for the Bill,” he said.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the Bill was passed only due to the steps taken by the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
“Despite opposition from several quarters she went ahead and took the risk,” he said.
“It was a historic day when the Bill was passed and will be celebrated every year,” Kamat said.