SHILLONG, June 2? Women of a major constituent of the ruling Meghalaya Democratic Alliance (MDA) have demanded empowerment and asked for their share in the party?s hierarchy and constitution, reports PTI. ?Empower US? was the focal theme of most of the speakers, mainly from villages, at the meeting M R Mawlong, one of the convenors of the women?s wing of United Democratic Party (UDP), told reports at the end of the party conclave here on Saturday. UDP with nine members is the second largest constituent in the Congress-led MDA government in the state.
Elaborating their concept of empowerment, Mawlong said the fair sex demanded certain rights which should enable them to achieve success in all spheres of life. She said the speakers felt very strongly that Meghalaya should strengthen its ?foremost regional party? (UDP) and women should be given key roles.
The programmes chalked out by national parties for the country were not always suitable for Meghalaya because of its different culture sand tradition, Mawlong, a retired IAS officer, said. The day-long meeting was attended by about 600 women from all over the state. Deputy Chief Minister Donkupar Roy, former chief minister E K Mawlong, Health Minister B G Momin were among others present on the occasion. The women also raised their voice for sufficient representation in the party?s executive committee and its constitution, she said.
Central schemes: Meghalaya was not availing any Central scheme in the sports sector for the past 15 years and urged the Centre to rectify the anomaly, the government said here.
?We have pointed to the Union Sports Minister that after 1986-87, Meghalaya is not availing any Central scheme in sports. We felt this is unfair and this anomaly has to be rectified,? Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Paul Lyngdoh told a press conference, on Friday. When asked to elaborate the reason ?behind it, the Minister said the state had written a letter to the Centre but no clarification came from there sofar.
Saying that the previous regimes of the state used to accord sanctions of sports schemes base on the ?political consideration?, Lyngdoh said the present government has done away with the practice and now all have been granted permission ?on merits?.