Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday brought a resolution in the Assembly seeking 33 per cent reservation for women in State Legislative Assemblies and Parliament. Earlier today, Patnaik addressed a large congregation of women from Odisha Sabuja Patrika Mahasangha at the BJD party office.
The Chief Minister initiated the discussion in the House on a motion for providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament and appealed to the members to extend their support and adopt this resolution unanimously.
Initiating the debate Patnaik said in the last few months, entire Odisha got to know about two women.
“One was Mamata Padhiami, a Koya tribal girl from Malkangiri, 700 kilometers away from Bhubaneswar. Standing amongst a crowd in a video conference, she expressed with courage and conviction her views on BSKY. This led to an increase in the ceiling for medical coverage for women from Rupees 5 lakhs to Rupees 7 lakhs. This historical decision impacts half of Odisha’s population and is looked at with awe by the entire country,” said Patnaik.
“Jayanti Ekka… entire Odisha knows this name now. The tribal lady from Balisankara of Sundergarh, a grass root Entrepreneur with a childhood disability was the star of the Make in Odisha Conclave where the who’s who of the country was present,” said Patnaik.
Patnaik said the confidence and determination with which she spoke inspired all of Odisha. From Malkangiri to Sundergarh – we witness the new Odisha. An Odisha with lakhs of Mamata Padhiamis and Jayanti Ekkas.
“This bold, aspirational and new Odisha has voices – voices which must be heard across Panchayats, Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament. It is in this context that I initiate the discussion on this historic motion for providing 33 percent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament,” said the Chief Minister.
In 1992, Biju Patnaik brought women to the realm of political decision making by providing 33 per cent reservation for women in local bodies. Later Naveen Patnaik further enhanced it to 50 per cent.
