Bhubaneswar: Extending best wishes to women on International Women’s Day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said that Biju Janata Dal, the political party led by him, has been prioritizing to women empowerment.
“Women empowerment is BJD’s main focus. Our beloved leader Biju Babu showed a new path for women empowerment not only in Odisha but across India. Today, Odisha has become a leading state in the field of women empowerment,” Patnaik said in a message.
Highlighting his party-led government’s contribution to women mass, the CM said that his government increased women reservation in panchayats and local urban bodies from 33% to 50%. The BJD will continue its fight for 33% reservation for women in Parliament and legislative assemblies, he added.
Criticizing the Centre over LPG price hike and reduction of rice quota, the BJD supremo said that State has not stopped any facilities given to the people while Centre has adopted anti-women policies.
“The central government cut five kg from poor people’s rice. Similarly, LPG prices have skyrocketed. Our mothers are suffering the most due to cut in rice quota and LPG price hike,” he criticized, condemning such an anti-women move by the Centre.
Patnaik further said that government’s women empowerment programme has boosted the confidence of mothers. Their importance has increased in the decision making process. Mission Shakti programme has been made a successful programme by women of different SHGs from where they have now embarked on a new journey of becoming entrepreneurs, the CM lauded.
“I want our mothers to be empowered, successful and their skills to be the hallmark of new Odisha,” Patnaik maintained.
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