Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday moved a resolution in the Assembly for providing 33 per cent reservation for women in State Legislatures and the Parliament.
“Today is a historic day. The members of the Assembly have unanimously passed a resolution to give 33 percent reservation to women in the assemblies and the Parliament. This will empower the women of our state to a great extent," Patnaik told mediapersons.
He said the government has always been working sincerely for the socio-economic empowerment of women in the state.
"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.
With the State already enhancing reservation for women to 50 per cent in the local bodies, the CM said “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.”
Congress MP, Ranjib Biswal said, “Keeping polls in mind and with a motive to garner support of women voters, the ruling party has moved a resolution for reservation. Undoubtedly the enactment of law will take some time. If he (Naveen) announces 33% reservation of seats during party ticket distribution, his image will be bolstered.”
BJP MLA, Pradip Purohit, said, “Naveen Patnaik-led government played the women reservation card to attract voters. The resolution is his (Naveen’s) political ploy. We want him to start the reservation policy from his party itself and make 33% reservation during ticket distribution.”
Countering the allegations, BJP spokesperson Sulochana Das stated, “Those, who talk of appeasement of voters, only think in those lines. In the coming days, the party may consider 33% reservation of party tickets for women.”
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The Rajya Sabha had earlier passed Women's Reservation Bill or 2008 Constitution (108th Amendment) Bill on 9 March 2010 which proposed to amend the Constitution of India to reserve 33% of all seats in the Lok Sabha and in all state legislative assemblies for women. However, the lower House never voted on the bill leading to its lapse after the dissolution.
With agency inputs..