Odisha to reserve 50% seats for women in ULBs

In a bid to further empower women, the Odisha government today decided to raise their quota to 50% in urban local bodies.

In a bid to further empower women, the Odisha government on Friday decided to raise their quota to 50% in urban local bodies.



"Our govenment has decided to enhance the representation of women in ULBs from the present level of 33% to 50%," chief minister Naveen Patnaik told reporters in Bhubaneswar.

HT Image

Saying that the decision would have a "far reaching" impact, Patnaik claimed the state government and the ruling BJD were committed to the welfare of women in Odisha.

The state government's decision to raise the women's quota to 50% in ULBs came after it provided 50% reservation for female candidates in the three-tier panchayat elections held early this year.

The decision assumed significance as it came ahead of ensuing ULB polls for municipal corporations, municipalities and notified area councils (NAC) scheduled to be held in 2013 and the general elections slated for 2014.