Women are not safe even in states having women CM: Gadkari

Kolkata, June 24: Union Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari today said it was unfortunate for the country that women were not safe even in states with woman chief ministers.

"We need to change this situation," Gadkari said without making a direct reference to West Bengal which has Mamata Banerjee as chief minister in the saddle.

"Even after 68 years of Independence there are still villages where there are no proper toilets for women. There are still villages with no proper schools. When Independence was achieved, it was told that good governance will be delivered. But it has not happened," Gadkari regretted while addressing a rally here.

The Union minister said that the Narendra Modi government had taken a number of initiatives for the upliftment of women and girl child.

He emphasised the need to bring women forward in all sectors, saying, "It is half of our population. The country cannot go forward without taking women in the forefront of development."

PTI