Mission Shakti Helping Women to Emerge as Torch Bearers of New Inclusive Odisha: Naveen

Bhubaneswar: The Mission Shakti programme has been helping women to emerge as a decision makers and torch bearers of a new inclusive Odisha, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday.

“Mission Shakti is one of our flagship programmes. It encompasses in its fold 70 lakh women in all habitations across the state. Mission Shakti symbolizes the transformation that is happening across the state – helping women emerge as decision makers and torch bearers of a new inclusive Odisha”, said the Chief Minister speaking at the function of State Women’s Commission.

Naveen said, “My Government has always held that “ No household, no society, no state , no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women”. At the core of our key initiatives is the effort to make girls and women financially independent and truly empowered”.

An important issue for us is the representation of women in democratic institutions – from the grassroots Panchayats to the Assembles and Parliament . Odisha has reserved 50 percent seats for women in Panchayats. In the recently concluded local body elections ,more than 55 percent women have got elected . 21 out of 30 District Presidents are women. In a first by any political party Biju Janata Dal reserved one third seats for women in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he said.

The CM further said that Mamata scheme empowers pregnant women by assuring them financial support at a vulnerable time.

Naveen also highlighted the BSKY and said that the health assurance scheme has a 10 lakh coverage for women . The Sudakshya scheme seeks to provide quality technical education to girls, he added.

“Our land right documents are issued in the name of women. To ensure uninterrupted education we have nearly three lakh girls in our hostels. Women play a huge role in the transformation story of New Odisha- inclusive aspirational and empowering”, the Odisha CM further stated.