Jeypore: Reiterating party Odisha unit’s promises of financial assistance for poor brides and appointment of women safety officers in panchayats, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Friday said that if the party voted to power it would provide Rs 2,000 widow allowance.
“We will provide Rs 2,000 widow allowance and free higher and technical education for girls, if Congress voted to power,” said Rahul while addressing public meeting here. Assembly elections will be held along with Lok Sabha polls in the State.
“For women’s safety, a special officer will be posted in every panchayat. A financial corporation will be formed to assist small and medium women entrepreneurs. When we form the Government, we will provide free education to every girl in Odisha,” said Gandhi.
He also targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik over a slew of issues.
Though HAL is manufacturing fighter planes for many years PM Modi has given Rs 30,000 crore to Ambani who doesn’t even have any experience in fighter plane manufacturing.
HAL has a manufacturing unit of fighter planes at Sunabeda in Koraput. “By taking away the Rafale deal from HAL, while the French benefit from it, youth of Odisha have lost the opportunity for employment while HAL plant here manufactures engines for various aircrafts,” said Gandhi.
Targeting the Naveen Patnaik Government, Gandhi said Odisha is not an impoverished State, but, there is concentration of wealth.
“Odisha is the poorest State despite abundance of resources. Everything is being looted here. There needs to be a change in Odisha,” said Gandhi.
Prior to the rally, Gandhi interacted with women from different sectors, including students at the Town Hall marking the International Women’s Day.
He asked the women to fight for their space. “Fight for your space. Don’t consider yourself less than any men,” said Gandhi.
