Assam MLA seeks breastfeeding room in assembly complex
The lawmaker says a facility similar to the one at the Tanzanian parliament would be of great help to lactating mothers.
A Bharatiya Janata Party legislator has written to assembly Speaker Hitendra Nath Goswami and Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, seeking a baby feeding room for lactating mothers who have no alternative to bringing their babies to work.
Assamese film star-turned-MLA Angoorlata Deka, who represents the Batadraba assembly seat in central Assam, cited the example of the Tanzanian parliament where lactating mothers like her have facilities to nurse their babies.
“I hope you will consider my suggestion for a hygienic baby feeding room,” the MLA, who gave birth to a girl on August 3, said. The baby is named Namami.
Deka said she could feel the hardship faced by working women after she became a mother. She said she was losing out on discussion time because of shuttling from the assembly to her official quarters “every now and then” to feed her baby.
Goswami said there is little scope for a baby room within the assembly building. But a facility could be provided in the assembly guest house less than 100 metres from the complex.
Deka is one of the eight women MLAs in the 126-member Assam assembly. The Congress has three women MLAs followed by BJP and its ally Bodo People’s Front with two each and Asom Gana Parishad with one.