BJD supremo and Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday assured to provide Government works worth `5,000 crore per year to Mission Shakti workers if his party comes back to power.
“The Mission Shakti workers will be engaged in midday meal, PDS system, paddy procurement, Ashram School management, hospital management, tourism management and supply of school uniforms which will benefit them by about `5,000 crore per year,” Patnaik said.
Addressing an election meeting in Komna during his Nuapada and Kalahandi visit, he stressed on empowerment of women, which he described as the “true double engine” of development.
Patnaik also announced several other sops for women and girls. He announced `25,000 as marriage assistance for poor girls, accident insurance for all members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and `5-lakh interest-free loan to every SHG.
He also promised to increase treatment assistance of women under the Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana (BSKY) from `7 lakh to `10 lakh and free education for girls.
Targeting the Centre, Patnaik said the Central leaders think about Kalahandi and Nuapada during elections only. He asked the Centre what happened to Bhawanipatna railway wagon factory and where was double MSP for paddy.
“4.5 crore Odia people are my family; and I will serve them till my last breath,” Patnaik reiterated.