Bhubaneswar: Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida today formally launched several schemes, campaigns and projects under the Department of Women and Child Development at the Conference Hall of the Department in the presence of Minister for Law, Works and Excise department Prithviraj Harichandan.
The Deputy Chief Minister, along with the Minister for Law, Works and Excise, launched the ‘Nari Adalat’ pilot project across 10 Panchayats in 10 districts today. The Deputy Chief Minister , described this initiative as a cornerstone for a ‘Viksit Odisha’. She emphasized that the success of this welfare model depends on its seamless implementation at the local level to ensure a discrimination-free society.
The Law Minister highlighted that by utilizing the Mediation Act, the Nari Adalat will resolve civil, family, and dowry disputes amicably, significantly reducing pending litigation. Under a specialized Jury System, women will be vested with authority to ensure transparency and accessible justice. This noble endeavour, supported by the Taluka Legal Service Cell Authorities, aims to provide a swift and effective legal framework for women at the village level.
The ‘Nari Adalat’ initiative aims to facilitate awareness on women’s rights and provide speedy, amicable dispute resolution through dialogue and mediation at the grassroots level. 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 Chief Minister launched the week-long State-wide 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, competitions in colleges, 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 bring about a positive shift in societal attitudes towards the girl child.
As part of the programme, the 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 6 months to 3 years, ensuring their 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 of the State, 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, the Deputy Chief Minister virtually inaugurated a 100-bedded new building of Utkal Balashram at Jajpur, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.49 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 State Government plans to extend this modern kitchen facility to other districts in a phased manner.
The Deputy Chief Minister further virtually laid the foundation stone for two Integrated Vatsalya Sadans in Khordha and Gajapati districts. These facilities will bring together Child Care Institutions, Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards under one roof to provide child-friendly, hassle-free and timely services to children in need of care and protection.
The programme was attended by Shubha Sharma Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development, Pabitra Mohan Samal Principal Secretary, Department of Law, Monisha Banerjee Director of the Department along with other esteemed dignitaries. Through virtual mode the event was graced by Collectors of all districts, District Social Welfare Officers, members of Nari Adalat and Anganwadi Workers.
