Bhubaneswar, April 30: In a special session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly titled "Women’s Contribution in Indian Democracy," Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called for a broader view of women’s empowerment, highlighting that true progress involves more than just financial support. He emphasized the need for women’s active participation in social, economic, and political decision-making.
CM Majhi criticized political rivals for promoting a narrow definition of empowerment, stressing that while Self-Help Groups (SHGs) play a role, genuine empowerment means giving women the autonomy to make decisions for themselves and society.
The CM also showcased the significant contributions of Indian women in sectors like defense and education, citing women engineers and teachers as key drivers of the country’s progress. He praised Prime Minister Modi for his leadership and the election of Droupadi Murmu, India’s first tribal woman president.
Key statistics on women’s achievements included: Women make up 69% of Mudra Yojana loans and 84% of Stand-Up India beneficiaries and 72% of housing units under PMAY are registered in women’s names.
Majhi also criticized opposition parties for their double standards on women’s issues and reaffirmed his commitment to achieving 33% reservation for women in the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies by the 2029 General Elections.
He highlighted Odisha’s women-focused initiatives, including the Subhadra Yojana for empowering one crore women, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana for marriage-related aid, and Mamata Yojana for health and nutrition. Majhi concluded by reaffirming his vision for a "Prosperous Odisha," where rural women contribute to modern agriculture and digital banking.
