Chandigarh, April 29: Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini declared on Wednesday that the establishment of a new Women’s Empowerment Committee within the Haryana Assembly represents a significant advancement for women’s roles in the state. Speaking in the House, the Chief Minister affirmed that this initiative is a critical component in fulfilling the national vision for a developed India by 2047.
The Assembly formally approved the proposal for the nine-member committee during a special session held on April 27. The resolution mandates that at least five members of the panel must be women. For a one-year term, the committee is tasked with reviewing state policies, examining social reports, and evaluating specific measures aimed at ensuring gender equality and increased female participation in various sectors.
Chief Minister Saini praised Vidhan Sabha Speaker Harvindra Kalyan for his leadership and balanced conduct in managing House proceedings. He stated that the Speaker’s effective functioning has been instrumental in maintaining the dignity of the Assembly while pushing forward meaningful governance reforms. The Chief Minister maintained that the committee would focus on improving representation and addressing systemic issues affecting women across the state.
However, the move faced criticism from the opposition. Leader of Opposition Bhupinder Singh Hooda described the special session as an exercise in political messaging rather than public service. The Congress leader affirmed that while the principle of women’s reservation is important, the current administration’s timing raises questions. Hooda noted that the reservation bill has a long history dating back to 1996 and questioned the delay in its implementation by the current government.
