Odisha CM pitches for 33% reservation for women in assemblies, Parliament

Bhubaneswar, Nov 20 (IANS) Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday moved a resolution in the Assembly for providing 33 per cent reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and the Parliament.

Patnaik appealed the members 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," said Patnaik initiating a discussion over the motion.

He said the government has always been working sincerely for the socio-economic empowerment of women in the state.

Informing that the state government has enhanced reservation for women to 50 per cent in the local bodies, he said it's heartening to know that in real numbers it's much more than 50 per cent.

"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," said the Chief Minister.