Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday directed the district collectors to hand over unused government properties and assets at the district, block and panchayat level to the Mission Shakti Mahasanghs in two months.
“There are several government properties like the buildings, government outlets and ponds lying unused in the district, block and panchayat offices, these should be handed over to the Mission Shakti Mahasanghs so that the women self-help groups (SHGs) can properly utilize them for socio-economic development in their localities,” he said.
Naveen said that the state government has accorded special department status to the Mission Shakti and it will effectively render its services to about 70 lakh mothers in the state.
“As empowerment of women is the top priority of the state government, the Mission Shakti in Odisha has become the agent of change. I hope that the decision taken by the state government will further strengthen the silent movement waged by the mothers of our state,” the Chief Minister added.