Bhubaneswar, November 20: In a major step towards women empowerment, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday moved a resolution in the Odisha Assembly seeking 33 percent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament.

“I initiate the discussion on this historic motion for providing 33 percent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament,” the Chief Minister said while moving the resolution and appealed the members of the House to extend their support and adopt this resolution unanimously.

“Empowerment of women is very close to my heart. No household, no society, no state, no country has ever moved forward without empowering its women,” the CM said.

“My Government has always been working sincerely for the socio-economic empowerment of women in our State. Historic initiatives like Mission Shakti, Mamata, Girls’ education, Mission Shakti loans at one percent interest, hostels for 5 lakh tribal girls, provision of 7 lakh for women under BSKY, land rights for women are some of the many initiatives that have brought about a movement transforming the lives of millions of women,” he said.

He further said, “The principle of gender equality is enshrined in our constitution. Biju Babu was the true champion of women’s empowerment. In 1992, he brought women to the realm of political decision making by providing 33 percent reservation for women in local bodies.”

“Biju Babu once said “I am confident that the mothers and sisters who run their household so efficiently will run the Panchayat Samiti and Zilla Parishad with equal competence. My Government has further enhanced it to 50 percent.  In fact, it’s heartening to know that in real numbers it’s much more than 50 percent,” the BJD supremo said.

“In 2001, we started Mission Shakti as a project. Today it has transformed into a movement — 70 lakh women and  6 lakh groups, transforming the socio-economic landscape of Odisha,” the CM stated further.

“The new Odisha will move forward with much greater momentum, only if half of our population, our mothers and daughters have a role in the highest decision making bodies of our State and our Country. Odisha must show its commitment and its resolve to the entire Nation that it is the land where women are truly empowered and truly involved in Nation building,” the CM added.