Women’s security tops budget agenda

Security of women and children was in focus at the budget of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation with proposals being put forth for installation of CCTVs in schools and creating more awareness among girl students. ‘In order to ensure security of four lakh students studying in schools under North Corporation, a sum of Rs 200 lakh has been set aside in this financial year to install CCTVs in all institutions,’ said Mahendra Nagpal, leader of the house in his budget speech on Monday. ‘It has been proven that installation of CCTVs leads to reduction in crimes,’ he said. When asked about the timeline for the implementation, mayor Meera Agrawal said, ‘Before the next budget session, this proposal will be completed.’ Besides setting up a task force for strengthening security in schools, a scheme called sayani bitiya rani yojana was also introduced. ‘Under this, girl students will be taught about the right and wrong kind of touches,’ said Nagpal. ‘This will ensure that in case of any wrongdoing, the girls will be able to stand up and bring the matter to the notice of their teacher or any higher authority,’ Agrawal added. When asked if the north corporation will follow its counterpart in the south and begin replacing male staff with female teachers in primary schools, the mayor pointed out that such ideas had been discussed before as well. ‘We need to look into the feasibility of the idea before making any declaration,’ Agrawal told reporters after the budget was presented.

School education formed a vital part in moral development of children, Nagpal said, and proposed a scheme called sanskar to be introduced in schools. ‘We will hold regular lectures, workshops and street play... these activities will focus on women centric themes. Since there are about 800 primary schools with over four lakh students in the formative years of their life, it is bound to generate a multiplier effect in the society,’ Nagpal said.