We have just concluded a two-day ChintanShivir. This gave us a useful opportunity to introspect, debate and plan for the future. It allowed us to discuss some of our crucial political and organizational challenges, as well as key social, economic and international issues. The outcome of the Shiviris beingdistributed to all of you. I am particularly delighted with the active participation of so many of our younger colleagues at the ChintanShivir. Engaging the youth more centrally in our organization is necessary. Only in this way can we develop and project new leadership.
At the last AICC Plenary held at Burari in December 2010, the major issue on the nation’s agenda was corruption, and rightly so. You may recall that I had places a five-point action plan to deal with it. Since then, our Congress-let UPA government has move forward on this matter.
We have got the Lok Pal Bill introduced and passed in the Lok Sabha. We have reviewed all discretionary powers of ministers that could lead to misuse of public office, and have instituted more open methods of allocating natural resources.
We have introduced new path-breaking legislation for redressing public grievances, for protecting whistleblowers and for ensuring transparency in large government purchases and contracts.
And we have just launched the historic AapKa Paisa, AapkeHaath initiative. This will, over time, ensure that benefits like pensions, wages, scholarships, 2 subsidies reach the aamaadmi directly. Corruption by middlemen will be eliminated.
Let me reiterate: corruption at all levels is a deep-rooted malaise and all sections of our society are affected by it. We must, as a Party, continue to lead a determined struggle to combat it effectively.
This AICC meeting comes in the backdrop of concern across India on the issue of safety and security of women. The barbaric gang-rape of a young woman in the nation’s capital has shaken the entire country. People are rightly demanding answers and action. This brave young woman in many ways embodied the spirit of an aspirational India. We will ensure that her death will not have been in vain. She is tragically, a symbol of thousands of women, and children, who suffer a similar fate, whose lives are ruined or worse, and who are denied justice.
Gender justice and equality was one of the five topics that was discussed over the past two days at the Chintan Shivir. There was acknowledgement that our government has taken many steps to ensure the welfare and wellbeing of women. New programmes have been launched. New laws have been enacted. They include an amendment to ensure equal rights for women in inheritance, new laws to protect women from domestic violence and sexual harassment at the work place. Aajeevika-the expansion and strengthening of women’s self-help groups, is one of our key flagship programmes. The sharp and enhanced focus on sanitation will have a positive impact on the dignity of women. Their growing involvement in panchayats and local administration is giving them a new voice and confidence.
Making people aware of such legislation and demanding its enforcement must become a priority in our political activities. We cannot tolerate the shameful social mindsets that lead to unspeakable atrocities on women and children. In the last few weeks, some public figures have come out with truly shocking statements reflective of these completely unacceptable attitudes.
The Congress Party has always been in the forefront of the struggle for the full empowerment of women. We will continue this campaign. Every woman and girl in our country has a fundamental Constitutional right to feel safe and secure, to enjoy full equality in every respect. And while on this subject, I assure you that I will personally continue to press for the passage of the law that would provide for one-third reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures. Reservation for women in panchayats and 3 nagarpalikas, a legacy of Rajivji, has transformed these institutions and is leading to better governance.
