Guwahati, Jun 01: At a time when the Centre is considering reservation for women in parliament, the Assam government has taken the lead and issued a notification to ensure 33 per cent reservation for the fair sex in the Guwahati Municipal Coporation (GMC). "The government has issued this notification recently to ensure reservation for women as a policy", GMC commissioner Sanjay Lohia told a news agency here.

He said of the total 60 seats, 20 would be henceforth reserved for women. Election to the GMC is slated to be held soon.

Minister for Planning Hemanta Biswasarma said the government was firm on ensuring reservation for women as a matter of principle.

This means that the power reaches the grass root level and the weaker section of the society, particularly in the rural areas, have their say, he said.

The Goalpara town board in lower Assam has also ensured 33 per cent reservation and a notification is to be issued soon, a top government official said.

The Tarun Gogoi-led Congress government in the state had made an electoral pledge that there would be 33 per cent reservation for women in the elected bodies.

Bureau Report