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'Equal rights to women key to developed & modern India'

At Ficci Ladies Organisation annual meet, Gujarat CM calls for women empowerment

BS Reporter New Delhi
Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Narendra Modi today wowed audiences at two events here, with his talk on government, good governance and development, and lauding the role of women in Indian society.

"Government and governance are two sides of the same coin. Government means rules and governance means delivery. Good governance is empowerment of people. Government is about outlay while governance is about outcome. Governments should conduct socio-economic impact studies to know about the impact of the decisions that have been taken," Modi said, while speaking at the

Network18 'Think India Dialogue'.

Without naming the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), Modi said that decisions were being delayed or not taken by the government, because political parties always remained in election mode and were only focussed on winning elections.
 
Modi said there was a need to build consent and start a dialogue with the people and the role of the people should be incorporated in the development process. "Public-Private partnership is not enough. There is a need for public-private-people partnership for development," Modi said.

At another event in the national capital, Modi tried to strike a chord with women, emphasising that they could contribute a lot in economic development if they are given equal opportunities.

"The first step to ensure the dignity of women is to give them equal rights to make India a developed and modern country. We will have to make changes in our families, society and government. If we are able to give equal opportunities to women and create a better atmosphere, 50 per cent of the population will increase the gross domestic product," Modi said here while speaking at the 29th Annual Session of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's Ladies Organisation.

He further said that while the country was discussing 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament and state legislatures, Gujarat had passed a law for 50 per cent reservations for women at panchayats and local bodies, but the Bill was stuck with Governor Kamla Beniwal.

"The Gujarat governor is a woman. But, it is my misfortune that she has not given her assent to the Bill," Modi said.

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First Published: Apr 09 2013 | 12:40 AM IST

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