Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday proclaimed that women are the torchbearers of an inclusive Odisha.
Speaking at the first edition of Times Power Women as chief guest, Patnaik highlighted how his Government has steered women to play a huge role in the growth story of new Odisha, empowering and transformational.
He said the representation of women in democratic institutions is a significant area of focus for him. “Women must be represented at all levels of decision making from the grassroots panchayats to the Assemblies and Parliament,” he said.
Patnaik said Odisha has reserved 50% seats for women in panchayats and it supports reservation of women in policymaking bodies.
In a first by any political party, the BJD reserved one- third of the seats for women in the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, he said.
