Parliament should act as agent of social change: Meira Kumar

VIJAYAWADA:Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar said that Parliament should act an ‘agent of social change’ and ensure social equality and economic emancipation. After unveiling the bronze statue of her father and former Deputy Prime Minister Jagjeevan Ram at Gandhi Nagar here, she said, “The fi rst and foremost function of Parliament, in my view, is that it should ensure social justice, social equality, economic emancipation and keep a vigilant eye on what government is doing.” She said she is always partial towards Dalits, downtrodden and women in the Lok Sabha adding that she gives suffi cient time to discuss the issue of social justice, equality and economic emancipation. Referring to the struggle for independence, Ms Kumar said the freedom struggle was carried out not only for political freedom but also for social and economic equality. The Lok Sabha Speaker highlighted that Parliament represents 120 crore people and enacts laws and ensures its implementation. Lauding the development in Andhra Pradesh, she said that whenever foreign delegates visit India, after seeing Parliament, they wish to visit Hyderabad to witness its development in IT and other sectors. She recalled that noble laureate Md.Yusaf of Bangladesh, in his address, praised Andhra Pradesh for successful implementation of ‘micro fi nance’ under Indira Kranthi Patham scheme. Housing Minister Kanna Lakshmi Narayana, MP Lagadapati Rajgopal, Legislative Council Chairman Chakrapani and a host of MLSs also spoke on the occasion. Earlier, Ms Kumar, along with her Husband Manju Kumar, garlanded the statue of Jagjeevan Ram at Gunadala and interacted with a group of women.