THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

BHUBANESWAR, APRIL 30, 2026

Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Friday made a strong case for holistic women empowerment, asserting that true empowerment extends far beyond financial assistance and must encompass social, economic, and political participation. Addressing a special one-day session of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on the theme, 'Women’s Contribution in Indian Democracy', Majhi underscored the need to ensure women have an equal voice in shaping the nation's future.

Thanking the Speaker for convening the special session, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the deliberations would further strengthen the cause of women's empowerment and democratic participation.

 “Seventy-five years after the adoption of our Constitution, our country has made significant progress in many sectors. However, even today, half of India’s population feels deprived and cheated. All political parties have been discussing women empowerment for decades, but their definition remains very narrow. For many, women empowerment only means providing some financial assistance through Self-Help Groups (SHGs). They think that by forming SHGs and giving money, women become empowered. This is a completely wrong perception. True empowerment means giving women the right to take decisions for themselves, their families, and society. Real women empowerment can only be achieved when they are empowered socially, economically, and politically,” CM Majhi said.

Highlighting the remarkable achievements of women in contemporary India, Majhi said they have shattered barriers across every sphere of life.

 “Today, nearly 80 years after Independence, the daughters and women of our country have excelled in every field. From managing households to driving autos and buses, they are now also flying fighter planes,” he said.

Recalling the courage of Indian women in uniform, he added, “During the Balakot airstrike, a brave and skilled woman radar engineer of the Indian Air Force played a pivotal role in bringing down Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jet. Similarly, during Operation Sindoor, Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh became the face of the Indian Army. This is the true power of Nari Shakti in modern India.”

The Chief Minister also highlighted the indispensable contribution of women to the education sector and nation-building.

 “In the year 2023-24, women constitute 53.3 per cent of school teachers and 43 per cent of faculty in higher education. This means a large part of the nation’s education system rests on the shoulders of women,” he said.

He further observed, “Women are laying the foundation for the country’s future by shaping the next generation of doctors, engineers, scientists, and leaders. If they can do all this, why can’t they take leadership roles in the country? Today’s women are capable of achieving the impossible. They only need equal opportunities and a level playing field. However, in our male-dominated society, obstacles are often created to prevent women from getting these opportunities.”

Launching a sharp attack on opposition parties over the Women's Reservation Bill, Majhi accused them of delaying justice to women for decades.

 “If I give an example of providing reservation to women in Parliament and State Legislatures, we see that sometimes demands are raised in the name of reservation for backward classes and at other times in the name of Muslim women. Under such pretexts, the real issue of giving justice to women has been neglected for decades. The members of this House know very well that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has always supported the Women’s Reservation Bill at all times. The friends from the Congress party are present here today. In 1984, their party had 414 seats in the Lok Sabha and 159 seats in the Rajya Sabha — that is not two-thirds, but nearly three-fourths majority. Yet, they failed to pass this important bill. Those who are pointing fingers at us today must first look at their own history,” he said.

Taking aim at the Biju Janata Dal, the Chief Minister remarked, “The respected members of the Biju Janata Dal are trying to take credit for providing 50 per cent reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions. They will repeat this claim even today during the discussion. However, when the question of reservation for women in Legislative Assemblies and Parliament arises, why do they adopt an anti-women stance?”

He further alleged that resistance to women's reservation in legislatures stems from vested political interests.

 “The honourable members sitting here and the top leaders of their parties will never contest Panchayat or Zilla Parishad elections. That is why even if there is 100% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj institutions, they have no problem, because their personal interests are not harmed. However, if reservation for women is implemented in the Legislative Assembly and Lok Sabha, their own political interests will definitely be affected. That is why they are opposing this bill on one pretext or another,” Majhi said.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi for promoting women in leadership, Majhi said, “There is no parallel in independent India to the contribution made by our visionary Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji in bringing women forward in politics. Today, an daughter of Odisha’s soil, Droupadi Murmu, is adorning the highest constitutional post of the country as President of India. It was Honourable Prime Minister Modi ji who provided the necessary political support to make this possible.”

He also commended Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida for her role in advancing women's welfare in the state.

Majhi lauded Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for scripting parliamentary history by presenting nine consecutive Union Budgets.

 “Despite continuous attacks from the opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji has reposed complete faith in her,” he said.

The Chief Minister highlighted the transformative impact of Central schemes, noting that women account for 69 per cent of Mudra loan beneficiaries, 84 per cent under Stand-Up India, and 72 per cent of beneficiaries under PMAY.

Speaking about Odisha's initiatives, Majhi said, “Our main goal is to build a ‘Prosperous Odisha’ as part of a ‘Developed India’. In this journey, we have launched the transformative Subhadra Yojana to make the mothers and sisters of Odisha economically self-reliant. This is not just a financial assistance scheme, but a grand effort to make more than one crore women ‘Atmanirbhar’. The journey from ‘Subhadra’ to ‘Lakhpati Didi’ will bring prosperity to every household in Odisha.”

He added that the state government has also strengthened support for women through Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, Mamata Yojana, Poshan Abhiyan, Aashirbad Yojana, and grassroots-level Nari Adalats.

On the economic empowerment of women, Majhi said, “I am happy to share that women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in Odisha are today playing a pivotal role in the economic development of rural areas. To empower them financially, in the year 2025-26, we have provided interest subvention of Rs 724.32 crore to 3.80 lakh SHG groups. In the coming days, this interest subvention facility will be extended up to 10 lakh SHG groups. Our goal is to transform every mother in Odisha into a ‘Lakhpati Didi’. Real development will happen only when an ordinary village woman actively participates in digital banking and modern agriculture.”

Reaffirming his confidence in women's growing role in Indian democracy, the Chief Minister said, “In Indian democracy today, women are not merely voters but active participants. Nearly 14.5 lakh women are working as elected representatives in Panchayati Raj institutions at the grassroots level, thereby proving their capability. The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniam is aimed at giving further momentum to this representation. The steps taken by Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji to implement this Act from the 2029 general elections were obstructed by the opposition parties, which only reflects their narrow mindset. However, this is only a temporary pause. I assure this House that from 2029 onwards, Prime Minister Modi ji will definitely implement reservation for women in both Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly.”

Dismissing concerns over seat delimitation, Majhi said the apprehensions raised by the Opposition were unfounded and assured that any increase in Lok Sabha seats would proportionately benefit Odisha as well.

With a comprehensive vision for social, economic and political inclusion, the Chief Minister reaffirmed his government's commitment to placing women at the heart of Odisha's development journey.