A Crusader of Social Empowerment of Women

As a Minister or an M.P. or a seasoned politician, T.R. Baalu has always been a crusader of social empowerment of the weaker sex particularly those who have become destitutes and left without a ray of hope for livelihood. As Petroleum Minister he wanted these helpless women to be given an opportunity for not only earning food to live but also becoming successful entrepreneurs. He was instrumental for initiating a new policy of reserving 33% of the petroleum, diesel retail outlets and gas agencies as well as kerosene dealerships for women. One could imagine that such a revolutionary policy was ushered in by him more than a decade ago whereas even today the proposal of 33% reservation for women in the legislature is still under debate.