In a landmark one-day session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly titled “Women’s Contribution in Indian Democracy,” Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called for a shift in how the nation perceives women’s empowerment.
He argued that true progress goes beyond financial aid, requiring a robust presence of women in social, economic, and political decision-making roles.
Beyond SHGs: Defining True Empowerment
Chief Minister Majhi critiqued the narrow definitions of empowerment often held by political rivals. He stated that while Self-Help Groups (SHGs) are vital, they are not the finish line.
”True empowerment means giving women the right to take decisions for themselves, their families, and society,” Majhi asserted.
He highlighted the evolving roles of Indian women—from radar engineers instrumental in national defense to the 53.3% of school teachers who currently anchor the nation’s education system.
Landmark Achievements Under the Modi Government
The Chief Minister lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “visionary” leadership, citing the appointment of Droupadi Murmu, a daughter of Odisha, as the President of India as a pinnacle of political inclusion.
Key National Statistics Shared by the CM:
- STEM Excellence: 43% of Indian graduates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics are now women.
- Financial Inclusion: Women account for 69% of Mudra Yojana loans and 84% of Stand-Up India beneficiaries.
- Home Ownership: Under PMAY, 72% of houses are registered in the names of women, securing their domestic status.
Addressing the Women’s Reservation Bill
Majhi took a firm stance against opposition parties, accusing them of “double standards” regarding the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam. He dismissed concerns raised by the Leader of Opposition regarding the delimitation of seats, reassuring the House that the process would be fair.
The Chief Minister guaranteed that the 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies would be fully implemented starting with the 2029 General Elections.
Odisha-Specific Initiatives: From Subhadra to Lakhpati Didi
Highlighting the state’s commitment, Majhi detailed several transformative schemes designed to make Odisha’s women “Atmanirbhar” (self-reliant):
- Subhadra Yojana: A grand effort targeting over one crore women to transition them into “Lakhpati Didis.”
- Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana: Over ₹1.71 crore has been transferred to assist poor families with marriage expenses.
- Health & Nutrition: The integration of the Mamata Yojana with the Centre’s Matru Vandana Yojana provided ₹496.37 crore to 4.57 lakh women in the 2025-26 fiscal year.
- Safety: The establishment of Nari Adalats (Women’s Courts) at the grassroots level to ensure localized justice.
Majhi concluded by reiterating his goal of building a “Prosperous Odisha” where ordinary village women participate actively in modern agriculture and digital banking.
