Bhubaneswar, June 13 (UNI) The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Friday strongly criticized the BJP government in Odisha for its failure to ensure the safety and security of women in the state over the past year.

Addressing a women's awareness campaign in Jajpur, BJD leaders alleged that since the BJP assumed power in Odisha, incidents of atrocities and violence against women have increased. They claimed that women are being deprived of opportunities, dignity, and respect under the current regime.

The public awareness meeting, attended by the party’s leading women leaders and chaired by senior BJD leader Pramila Mallick, unanimously adopted a seven-point charter aimed at protecting the social, economic, and political rights of women.

BJD leaders accused the state government of allowing a sharp rise in crimes against women over the last year. Reports of rape, kidnapping, murder, and sexual assault are frequently appearing in both print and electronic media, they said.

They further alleged that the BJP government has failed completely in ensuring women’s safety. The economic empowerment of 70 lakh women through the Mission Shakti initiative, which was a hallmark of the previous Naveen Patnaik-led government, is now at risk due to the present government’s indifference.

The leaders pointed out that Self-Help Groups (SHGs) under Mission Shakti are being neglected, and self-reliant women are being denied opportunities and recognition.

They also claimed that cases of child abduction and trafficking have risen in the state over the past year.

In addition, the women leaders accused the BJP government of failing to control the prices of essential commodities, ensure smooth darshan (worship) experiences in temples, uphold Odia unity, and procure paddy without practices like katni and chantni (deductions during procurement).

The meeting demanded the implementation of the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, a bill passed by Parliament to reserve 33 percent of seats for women in both the Assembly and Parliament, starting from the 2029 general elections.

Further demands included reactivating more than 7 lakh SHGs created under Mission Shakti and involving them in various developmental activities in collaboration with government departments, as was done during the BJD’s tenure.

Other key demands raised at the meeting included

· Interest-free loans of Rs.20 lakh per year for SHGs,

· Increasing the Mission Shakti budget to Rs.10,000 crore,

· Prioritizing women’s safety and reactivating existing women and child help desks,

· Free education for women from KG to PG, and

· Free medical treatment worth Rs.20 lakh annually for women through health cards.

Senior BJD leaders including Snehangini Chhuria, Sulata Deo, Rajshree Mallick, Sharmishtha Sethi,,Devi Prasad Mishra, Santrapta Mishra, Pranab Prakash Das, Prafulla Samal, and Arun Kumar Sahu also addressed the gathering.

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