Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government continues to make its commitment to protect the political, social and economic rights of women, said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on the occasion of state-level celebration of International Women’s Day.
Speaking at programme organized at the convention center of Lokseva Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that the women in Odisha have excelled a lot in the last 20 years.
Expressing his views on the progress of women in Odisha, the Chief Minister said that women in the state have now well established themselves in the political field.
He said that out of the 30 Zilla Parishads of the state, women are leading in 20. More than 50 percent women are represented in panchayat and urban local bodies.
Similarly, giving the example of Mission Shakti in the field of economic development, he said that mothers are contributing to their families by doing small business and earning money due to Mission Shakti. This is a huge change. It boosted their confidence and inspired them to dream big, he added.
The State Government is also giving crores of government jobs to women through Mission Shakti. The Chief Minister expressed his happiness for this, saying that they are also handling this responsibility very well. Now women have gone one step further and started a campaign to become entrepreneurs, said the Chief Minister.
The State Government is giving a loan of Rs 10 lakh without interest.
Similarly, the Chief Minister said that the state government has taken many steps to protect the social rights of women and increase their dignity.
The Chief Minister emphasized on the importance of respecting women stating that it is written in our scriptures that where mothers are respected, gods reside there.
He said that the State Government is giving more benefits to women in various schemes.
Under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana, health services of Rs 5 lakh are available for all, while women are getting benefits of Rs 10 lakh. Girls get Rs 1,000 more in Nua-O scholarship. Mothers are traveling in LAccMI bus at half price for only Rs 5. Not only that, Ration card, BSKY card, Pakka house etc. are all living in the name of mothers. If the land is bought in the name of women, a lot of discount is given in the registration. He said that all these measures have increased the importance of mothers in the society. The Chief Minister said that mothers have a lot of potential. The Chief Minister opined that they can achieve a lot in life if they are strong.
On this occasion, the Chief Minister wished the women success in their lives and asked them to excel in all fields. He called upon the women to contribute to the formation of new Odisha.