Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida on Saturday formally launched several schemes, campaigns, and projects of the Department of Women and Child Development at the Department’s Conference Hall, in the presence of Minister for Law, Works, and Excise Prithviraj Harichandan.
Parida, along with Harichandan, launched the Nari Adalat pilot project across 10 panchayats in 10 districts, according to a media release. The deputy DM described this initiative as a cornerstone of a “Bikashita Odisha”. She emphasised that the success of this welfare model depends on seamless implementation at the local level to ensure a discrimination-free society.
The law minister highlighted that by utilising the Mediation Act, Nari Adalat will amicably resolve civil, family, and dowry disputes, significantly reducing pending litigation. Under a specialised jury system, women will be vested with the authority to ensure transparency and accessible justice. This noble endeavour, supported by the Taluka Legal Services Cell Authorities, aims to provide a swift and effective legal framework for women at the village level.
The Nari Adalat initiative aims to raise awareness of women’s rights and provide speedy, amicable dispute resolution through dialogue and mediation at the grassroots. Issues related to domestic violence, dowry, child protection, and property rights will be addressed through this platform, ensuring timely and accessible justice at the panchayat level.
The deputy CM also launched the week-long statewide celebrations of National Girl Child Day 2026 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, to be observed from January 17 to January 24. Awareness rallies, college competitions, felicitation of meritorious students, and coordination meetings with allied departments will be organised across all 30 districts. The campaign aims to curb gender-based sex selection, promote gender equality, and foster a positive shift in societal attitudes towards the girl child.
As part of the programme, operational guidelines of the centrally sponsored PALNA (Anganwadi-cum-Crèche) scheme were unveiled. Implemented in a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the State, the scheme aims to provide a safe, nurturing, and child-friendly environment for children aged six months to three years, ensuring nutrition, health, safety, and cognitive development. The initiative is also expected to significantly enhance the participation of working mothers in the workforce.
In the first phase, 168 Anganwadi Centres across 25 districts have been identified and operationalised as PALNA Centres. These centres will provide services including child protection and supplementary nutrition, safe sleeping facilities, early childhood stimulation activities, growth monitoring, health check-ups, and immunisation support.
Additionally, Parida virtually inaugurated a new 100-bed Utkal Balashram building in Jajpur, constructed at Rs2.49 crore from the State Budget. Modern kitchen facilities were also inaugurated at the Utkal Balashrams in Puri and Jajpur to ensure hygienic, nutritious, and safe food for resident children. The government plans to extend this modern kitchen facility to other districts in a phased manner.
