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Women state assembly held in Madurai adopts resolution for total prohibition [Madurai] [Times of India](Times of India Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) MADURAI: Women from various walks of life who took part in the Tamil Nadu Women State Assembly held in Madurai city on Friday, unanimously passed a resolution for total prohibition in the state. It was a significant resolution considering that state prohibition and excise minister Natham R Vishwanathan informed the legislative assembly recently that the government is aware about the ills of liquor consumption but it allows regulated sales only to prevent hooch tragedies and impracticality of imposing total prohibition when liquor is available freely in neighbouring states. Tamil Nadu government also earns a substantial revenue by supply of liquor through the state marketing corporation. The participants expressed concern regarding alcohol consumption and safety of the women. They felt that alcohol abuse by men is not only spoiling the society but also degrades the health of the citizens. They felt the safety of the women in the state should be given utmost care. The assembly coincided with the 68th Independence Day. This is the second phase of the women state assembly and the first in Madurai, as the first phase was conducted in Chennai in 2010. It was organized by Initiatives: Women In Development (IWID), a group of women activists, which works for the development of the society on the whole with special attention to women, along with Fatima College, Madurai. Irrespective of their occupation, around 250 women and 150 students from across the state, including daily wage employees, self-help group women, researchers, academicians and representatives of non-governmental organizations took part in the assembly. Representatives of IWID said that the programme is aimed at promoting women's participation in social activities. It is to sensitize the women regarding the political systems, policies and analyzing the political moves in the state as well as in the nation. The women, many of them from rural areas have been given training and capacity building programmes to promote social participation, through various NGOs working in the respective areas. The procedures followed were similar to the state assembly, to familiarize the women with the proceedings. They members were administered oath as assembly members and the members in turn selected their chief minister and ministers for various portfolios. "All the proceedings like introducing resolutions, zero hours, and discussion conducted in the state assembly would be introduced to the women in the two-day programme," explained Neelavalli, executive director, IWID. "If I am given power, the first thing I would do is promulgation of total prohibition. I would strive hard to increase the women's participation in elections. The safety of the women would be increased and more opportunity for women in all the sectors would be provided," said R Nagavalli from Usilampatti, one of the rural women who underwent training. "Programmes like this should create awareness among the women. There are many areas still wherein women need empowerment and an opportunity like this will promote them," said K Fatima Mary, vice-principal, Fatima College. (c) 2014 Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited |