Odisha Assembly adopts resolution for 33 per cent reservation for women in Assemblies and Parliament

Bhubaneswar, November 20:

Odisha Assembly Tuesday unanimously passed a resolution moved by Chief Minister and leader of House Naveen Patnaik for providing 33 per cent reservation for women in legislative Assemblies and the parliament by a voice vote.

Participating in the discussion on the resolution Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said the Congress in 2009 and the BJP in 2014 had included reservation for women in their respective election manifestoes.

He requested the members cutting across party lines to unanimously support the resolution which would help a great deal in empowering the women.

BJP Legislature party leader K V Singh Deo said while the Women Reservation bill was passed by the Lok Sabha and is to be passed by the Rajya Sabha, the chief minister is trying to fool the people by moving the resolution in the state Assembly .

Extending his Party’s support to the resolution, Mr Singh Deo asked the government not to confine it to only to lip service but to take bold decisions.

Opposition Chief Whip Tara Prasad Bahinipati alleged the chief minister moved the resolution keeping the coming election in view.

He said the Congress is ready to support the resolution but the BJD should first implement it in their party by providing 33 per cent ticket to women.

Mr Rabi Narayan Naik ( BJP) asked the government whether it has any information regarding the number of girls being trafficked to other states.

He also wanted the government to consider appointing women peons, attendants and cooks in the Tribal welfare schools meant for girls only.

Among others Mr Bedprakash Agarwal, Mrs Pramilla Mallik (BJD) Government Chief Whip Amar Prasad Satpathy and Mr Pradip Purohit (BJP) also spoke and supported the resolution.BM