The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has kept its promise of gender budget in Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). As a move towards making the city ‘women friendly’, a provision of more than Rs3.5 crore has been made for women’s toilets, creches for working women’s kids and empowerment of women.

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The NCP had promised to make Pune, a women-friendly city in its election agenda. The standing committee, chaired by NCP corporator Baburao Chandere has taken the first step towards this with the budget although the implementation will matter the most.

In the PMC’s budget for 2012-13, a provision of Rs2 crore has been made to construct more public toilets for women. In order to ensure space for constructing these toilets, land will be reserved in the development plan. If place for toilets is made available at government offices, semi-government offices, petrol pumps, malls etc, the PMC will provide funds for constructing toilets at these places. These establishments will then be responsible for the maintenance of the toilets. If required, funds will also be made available from solid waste management head for women’s toilets.

A sum of Rs25 lakh has been kept aside by the standing committee for seting up of crèches for the kids of working women. This provision has been made considering the problems faced by working women who have small kids and no one at home to look after them. It has been decided to spend Rs10 lakh to improve the facilities at the creche at Shivajinagar which is run by the PMC.

The PMC plans to set up centres to provide training to illiterate women. A provision of Rs50 lakh has been made for this purpose. A sum of Rs20 lakh will be provided to help self-help groups start small businesses. Through this fund, the SHGs will also be provided modern equipment if necessary.

The PMC also plans to hold festivals on themes revolving around women, youth and environment and Rs1 crore have been allotted for this. Rs3 lakh have been reserved for holding special programmes for women. Those who have made their mark in social, educational and other fields will be felicitated with Stree Shakti award on Women’s Day. Various contests will also be organised for women.