Odisha CM Majhi Empowers Police to Act Firmly on Crimes Against Women

Quick Summary:

• Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, during his Independence Day speech, gave “absolute power” too the police to act against crimes involving women and stated that no one, irrespective of influence, would be spared in such cases.
• The government is planning special legislation to end organised crime, especially extortion activities. Intoxication has been identified as a related concern.
• Initiatives for women’s empowerment were highlighted: over 1 crore women received financial aid under ‘Subhadra Yojana,’ resulting in 17 lakh ‘lakhpati didis.’
• ₹89,861 crore was allocated in the 2025-26 Budget for women’s welfare schemes.
• Social welfare measures include free distribution of an additional 5 kg rice per month to poor families under ‘Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana’ for three months at a cost of ₹180 crore.
• Development plans include upgrading MKCG Medical College Hospital and affordable accommodations for patient attendants in medical colleges. senior citizens benefit through healthcare provisions under the Vaya Vandana scheme worth ₹936 crore.
• Industrialisation prioritised with plans for a pharmaceutical sector conclave and youth-centric initiatives on empowerment announced.
• CM reiterated tough action against corruption while advocating unity in criticism without dividing government from the nation.

Indian opinion Analysis:

Chief Minister Majhi’s Independence Day announcements reflect Odisha’s focus on combating systemic issues like crimes against women and organised crime while addressing broader social welfare goals such as empowering vulnerable populations and advancing infrastructure development.

The decision to give police additional authority signals urgency but raises questions about implementation challenges given complex socio-political dynamics tied often with law enforcement systems. Similarly, proposing special legislation demonstrates resolve but might require openness safeguards if enforced strictly amidst rising political scrutiny over governance quality.

Social measures like distributing free rice or boosting senior citizen benefits enhance immediate relief; yet ensuring long-term impact necessitates consistency beyond short-term allocations or symbolic gestures tied around national celebration dates.

Majhi’s advocacy on women’s empowerment via both institutional safety steps (‘shaktishree’) & entrepreneurship queries longstanding employment ruptures but policy-level intricacies coordinating sectors interdependent education-financial ecosystems deserving equal clarity restoration remain critical demands also.

Ultimately frameworks introduced could stimulate wider public progress benchmarks aligned recent state anniversaries inviting citizen participative shoulders likewise balancing critiqued inclusivity drives requested expectation-navigation assist regions forward-standing ahead.

Read more: The Hindu – Odisha News