BJD accuses Odisha govt of conspiring to stop salary of Mission Shakti women, BJP hits back

Opposition BJD rapped the ruling BJP on Tuesday over the protest of thousands of women across various organisations of the Odisha government’s Mission Shakti. The women have hit the streets in Bhubaneswar to voice their grievances against alleged non-payment of salaries.

“Thousands of women have been protesting on the road. It doesn’t make any sense to discuss other matters in the Assembly by ignoring their issue. We demand that their issues should be discussed first. Their salary should be provided and their service should be made permanent on a priority basis,” said Chief Whip of Opposition Pramila Mallick.

“If there are any problems involving them, it should be discussed first. And then, other issues will be discussed in the Assembly,” she added.

In response, Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida said that there was a discussion about the issue in the Assembly on Monday.

“Nobody should mislead the women about the issue. Whatever is needed in the interest of the women, will be done. I appeal to the women that there is no need to hit the streets by getting biased by the opinions of others,” said Parida.

Meanwhile, the Odisha Assembly witnessed a ruckus over the protest of MBK, Bank Mitra, Krishi Mitra, and Prani Mitra in Bhubaneswar.

Read Also: Thousands of women hit streets in Odisha demanding release of salaries pending since April

Opposition BJD and Congress members created pandemonium near the podium of the speaker over the issue. They shouted slogans against the government and as a result, the work in the house was severely affected. 

LoP Naveen Patnaik Targetted BJP Govt

Leader of the Opposition Naveen Patnaik targetted the BJP government by alleging that a conspiracy is being hatched to stop the salary of the women workers.

“BJP government is conspiring to stop the salaries of the Mission Shakti people. I strongly condemn this. As all of you know there are more than 70 lakh women in the Mission Shakti movement, this is very very bad. We in BJD have always supported Mission Shakti movement and we continue to support it,” said Patnaik.

In response, the BJP hit back hard by saying that BJD has done nothing for the empowerment of the women in the State during their tenure of 24 years.

“BJD has done nothing for the women of the State during their tenure of 24 years. On the other hand, money was directly transferred to the bank accounts of 80 lakh women under Subhadra Yojana as soon as the BJP government came to power. Naveen Patnaik should answer what they have done for the women,” asked BJP leader Tankadhar Tripathy.