Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday appealed to members in the Odisha Assembly to unanimously adopt a resolution for providing 33 per cent reservation for women in the Legislative Assembly and Parliament.
Initiating a discussion through a motion in the House in the afternoon, the Chief Minister said that no household, society, state and country has ever moved forward without empowering its women.
“Empowerment of women is very close to my heart. My government has always been working sincerely for the socio-economic empowerment of women in our state. Historic steps like Mission Shakti, MAMATA, Girls’ education, Mission Shakti loans at one percent interest, hostels for five lakh tribal girls, provision of Rs 7 lakh for women under BSKY and land rights for women are some of the many initiatives that have brought about a movement transforming the lives of millions of women,” he added.
Stating that the principle of gender equality is enshrined in the Constitution, the Chief Minister said the former Chief Minister and legendary leader Biju Patnaik was a true champion of women’s empowerment who, in 1992, had brought women to the realm of political decision-making by providing 33 percent reservation for them in the local bodies. Referring to the steps his government has taken for the empowerment of women, he said the government has enhanced the reservation of seats for women in the local bodies to 50 per cent, which, in fact, is more than 50 per cent.
Maintaining that the new Odisha will move forward with much greater momentum if women have a role in the highest decision-making bodies of the state and the country, the Chief Minister said Odisha must show its commitment and resolve to the entire nation that it is the land where women are truly empowered and involved in nation building.
While appealing to the members to unanimously adopt the resolution, he said the state government, after passing the resolution in the State Assembly, will send it to the Centre for approval.
