Kumaraswamy apologises for not providing Cabinet berth to woman

Bangalore, Mar 8 (UNI) Karnataka Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy today apologised for not providing Cabinet berth to a woman candidate.

''There is a complaint against me that I have not included a woman candidate in the Cabinet. I tender my apology for that,'' he said, participating in a function organised on the occasion of International Women's Day here.

However, the JD(S)-BJP coalition Government, headed by him, had accorded more importance to women and responded better to the fairer sex in all respects than the previous Governments, where women candidates had found a place, he added.

Mr Kumaraswamy said the Cabinet had decided to increase the age limit for physically handicaped women and widows to enter State Government service to 42 and the monthly pension for them would be increased to Rs 500 from Rs 200 in the next financial year.

He said officials have been directed to provide sites to the landless in villages within 15 days.

Reiterating that the Government was committed to introduce prohibition in the State, he said ''there is no question of going back on the decision of banning sale of liquor.'' The Chief Minister presented 'Kiturrani Chennamma' and 'Brave Women' awards to individuals and organisations who had strived for the development of women in the State.

UNI