Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that representation of women in the Karnataka State Police will increase by 25% in the next five years.
The announcement is one among a slew of initiatives announced in the budget to uplift and promote women. The pro-women tilt in the budget was evident with a separate section for schemes of women in the budget for the first time.
Interacting with journalists on Friday evening, CM Siddaramaiah took a jibe at PM Narendra Modi. "Women from PUC to post-graduation is exempted from fee payment. irrespective of caste creed. Sab ka saath Sab ka Vikas is this," he said.
The initiatives included commencement of transit hostels for women coming to Bengaluru for purposes of interviews, entrance examinations etc and exemption of full fee payment in government universities. the government has also promised installation of CCTV cameras in 1000 BMTC buses under the Nirbhaya Scheme for the safety of women.
The budget earmarked Rs. 2 crore grants to build a positive mindset and a safe atmosphere for women in the state. It also stressed on the need to spread awareness about gender, especially to boys.
Here are a few initiatives for women
- Commencing of transit hostels for women coming to Bengaluru for the purposes of interview for employment, entrance examination etc.
- Rs 2 crore grants to build a positive mindset about women, safe atmosphere for women and spread awareness about gender amongst government employees/community policing volunteers/resident welfare associations, students of schools and colleges, especially boys.
- Enhancement of the representation of women in Police Department by 25% in the next 5 years.
- Reduction of rate of interest from 2% to zero for loans given by commercial/rural regional banks upto Rs.50,000 to women fishermen to take up fishing activities.
- Implementation of Start-up Loan Facility scheme for women at a cost of Rs.15 crore through Minority Development Corporation.
- Construction of separate toilet and dressing room for women at all public buildings by amending the Public Works Code.
- To empower landless Devadasis identified by Women and Child Development Department, priority will be given in sanctioning loan and subsidy under Land Purchase and Ganga Kalyana schemes.
- Imparting training to 100 women candidates through Transport Department in heavy vehicle drivers training institutes at Bengaluru and Dharwad and to 1000 women candidates through the BMTC in light motor vehicle driving training.
- Establishment of “Nirbhaya Kendras” in all the Police Commissioner offices of the State.