Underlining the importance of women welfare for the prosperity of society, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today said his government was helping 45 lakh women in the state through the Samajwadi Pension scheme.
"A debate is going on in the country over gender equality, environment and education but the most important point is that if the woman is happy the family is happy...The society which respects woman will definitely make progress," Yadav said at a function organised by a media house here.
"This is not just the responsibility of the government but of every individual and steps should be taken to ensure that women are respected...If these issues are not discussed society cannot progress," he stressed.
The chief minister said the money which goes into the bank accounts of women through the Samajwadi Pension scheme gets them respect from their families and others.
"If the poor women of villages get Rs 500 more in their income through the pension scheme then it will be a big help for them...The government is helping 45 lakh women in the state through it," he said.
Referring to ambitious projects like the Expressway, IT city and Lucknow metro among others, Yadav said he was sure that 10 km long stretch of the metro would not have been built anywhere in over two years and termed it as an achievement.
The Chief Minister, in a lighter vein, remarked that his luck took a turn for good only after marriage as he became the youngest MP in February 2000 after getting married in November 1999. "The process of progress started in just four months and it is continuing so much so that today I am here (as chief minister)," he said.
