A resolution seeking 33 per cent reservation for women in the state legislative assemblies and Parliament was passed by the Odisha Assembly on Tuesday. The chief minister appealed to all the lawmakers to extend their support and unanimously adopt the resolution after it was passed.
“Today is a historic day, the members of this assembly have unanimously passed a resolution giving 33% reservation to women in the assembly and the parliament. This will empower the women of our state to a great extent,” the chief minister said.
"I initiate the discussion on this historic motion for providing 33-per-cent reservation for women in legislative assemblies and the Parliament," Patnaik said, while moving the resolution for the consideration of the House.
The chief minister further said the state must show its commitment and resolve to the entire country that it is the land where women are truly empowered and truly involved in nation-building.
"No household, no society, no state, no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women," he said, adding the empowerment of women is very close to his heart.
Patnaik said initiatives like girls' education, loans at 1-per-cent interest rate, hostels for 5-lakh tribal girls, provision of Rs 7 lakh for women under its healthcare insurance scheme and land rights for women were among the many initiatives his government had taken to improve their socio-economic condition.
The chief minister further said, “My government has further enhanced it (reservation for women in panchayat and ULBs) to 50 per cent. In fact, it’s heartening to know that, in real numbers, it's much more than 50 per cent.”
"This bold, aspirational and new Odisha has voices which must be heard across panchayats, legislative assemblies and the Parliament," he added.
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