Smriti demands 30% allocation for women

President of the women’s cell of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Smriti Irani has put forward a request to the Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee to have at least 30 per cent of budgetary allocation dedicated to women-centric issues particularly health and malnutrition. “It’s only a measly 6 per cent. There is so much to be done in the women’s sector and there should be good budgetary allocation for the same,’’ said Irani addressing a press meet at BJP office in the city.

Ahead of the Union budget next week,Irani said that besides focus on the health sector for women,malnutrition issues and insurance benefits for women in the unorganised sector,there should be higher exemption of income tax for women. “Tax should be expempted at least up to 5 lakh. For housing loan there should be a reduction in interest for women,’’ said Irani. She added that widows and disabled women should be able to open accounts on zero balance as well as get loans at zero interest rate while women entrepreneurs should get 2 per cent interest on loans to encourage them.

She also called for better implementation of the domestic violence act. “The local area representatives should focus on addressing these issues,’’she said. She urged the elected women representatives of the Pune Municipal Corporation to take up the issues of women on priority basis. “The 50 per cent reservation for women should see the elected women representatives showcase their political will and take up issues concerning women,’’ she added.

Responding to a question about Pune MP Suresh Kalmadi wanting to contest the 2014 elections,Irani candidly said that if such corrupt people contested it is time that the city wakes up and supports BJP.