Bhubaneswar: In a historic move, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today brought the resolution seeking 33 per cent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament.
The Chief Minister also appealed to the Members of the Assembly to extend their support and adopt this Resolution unanimously.
“Empowerment of women is very close to my heart. No household, no society, no State, no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women”, Naveen told the Assembly.
Naveen said, “In the last few months, entire Odisha got to know about two women. One was Mamata Padhiami, a Koya tribal girl from Malkangiri, 700 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar. Standing amongst a crowd in a Video Conference, she expressed with courage and conviction her views on BSKY. This led to an increase in the ceiling for medical coverage for women from Rupees 5 lakhs to Rupees 7 lakhs. This historical decision impacts half of Odisha’s population and is looked at with awe by the entire country”.
Jayanti Ekka… entire Odisha knows this name now. The tribal lady from Balisankara of Sundergarh, a grass root Entrepreneur with a childhood disability was the star of the Make in Odisha Conclave where the who’s who of the country were present. The confidence and determination with which she spoke inspired all of Odisha. From Malkangiri to Sundergarh– we witness the new Odisha. An Odisha with lakhs of Mamata Padhiamis and Jayanti Ekkas, the Chief Minister said.
“Hon’ble Speaker Sir — This bold, aspirational and new Odisha has voices – voices which must be heard across Panchayats, Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament. It is in this context that I initiate the discussion on this historic motion for providing 33 percent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament”, he added.
“ My Government has always been working sincerely for the socio-economic empowerment of women in our State. Historic initiatives like Mission Shakti, MAMATA, Girls’ education, Mission Shakti loans at one percent interest, hostels for 5 lakh tribal girls, provision of 7 lakh for women under BSKY, land rights for women are some of the many initiatives that have brought about a movement transforming the lives of millions of women. The principle of gender equality is enshrined in our constitution”, the CM said.
“Biju Babu was the true champion of women’s empowerment. In 1992, he brought women to the realm of political decision making by providing 33 percent reservation for women in local bodies. He once said, I am confident that the mothers and sisters who run their household so efficiently will run the Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad with equal competence. My Government has further enhanced it to 50 percent. In fact, it’s heartening to know that in real numbers it’s much more than 50 percent”, Naveen added.
“In 2001, we started Mission Shakti as a project. Today it has transformed into a movement — 70 lakh women and 6 lakh groups, transforming the socio economic landscape of Odisha”, the CM said.
“Hon’ble Speaker Sir, the new Odisha will move forward with much greater momentum, only if half of our population, our mothers and daughters have a role in the highest decision making bodies of our State and our Country”, Naveen said.
Odisha must show its commitment and its resolve to the entire Nation that it is the land where women are truly empowered and truly involved in Nation building, he added.