Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday stated that the state government maintains a zero-tolerance policy regarding crimes against women and that all perpetrators in recent cases have been apprehended and imprisoned.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling the national flag to mark the celebrations of the 77th Republic Day in Cuttack, Majhi emphasised his government’s commitment to law and order.
“I would like to assure the mothers and sisters of the state on this occasion that our government is always working for your safety. If anyone commits a crime against you, they will definitely be punished. In cases of violence against women, all the accused have been arrested,” he said.
Firmly stating that no criminal would receive political protection, the Chief Minister made it clear that the state would show no leniency toward those involved in crimes against women.
“Regardless of political affiliation, caste, religion, or colour, for me, a person who commits violence against women has only one identity and one address – jail,” he said.
The Chief Minister noted that since women constitute half of the population, the state’s advancement is inextricably linked to their well-being.
“Our government has also given high priority to women’s safety along with their dignity,” he said.
Majhi highlighted a stark improvement in legal outcomes, noting that the conviction rate for crimes against women was 9.2 per cent in 2022 and dropped further to 6.9 per cent in 2023.
“However, today, it is a matter of some satisfaction for me that in the first six months of 2025, the conviction rate has reached 41 per cent. In June, it was more than 62 per cent,” he said.
ଆଜି ଐତିହାସିକ କଟକ ସହରର ବାରବାଟୀ ଷ୍ଟାଡିୟମଠାରେ ୭୭ତମ ସାଧାରଣତନ୍ତ୍ର ଦିବସ କାର୍ଯ୍ୟକ୍ରମରେ ଯୋଗଦେଇ ଜାତୀୟ ପତାକା ଉତ୍ତୋଳନ କଲି। ଏହି ଗୌରବମୟ ଅବସରରେ ଆମ ସମ୍ବିଧାନର ମୂଲ୍ୟବୋଧକୁ ସ୍ମରଣ କରିବା ସହ ଦେଶର ବୀର ସଂଗ୍ରାମୀ ଓ ଅମର ଶହୀଦମାନଙ୍କ ପ୍ରତି ଭକ୍ତିପୂତ ଶ୍ରଦ୍ଧାଞ୍ଜଳି ଅର୍ପଣ କଲି। ଗତ ୧୯ ମାସ ମଧ୍ୟରେ ଆମ ସରକାର 'ସବ୍କା… pic.twitter.com/oo81FGy7Hc
— Mohan Charan Majhi (@MohanMOdisha) January 26, 2026
CM Majhi noted that the Subhadra Yojana was launched during his cabinet’s very first session, and the scheme has already covered more than one crore women.
In the current budget, a record Rs 89,862 crore has been allocated for women’s welfare initiatives.
“This provision is about 30 per cent of the total budget. This money is being spent on education, health, transportation and livelihood,” the chief minister said.
Furthermore, Odisha has empowered lakhs of women to become ‘Lakhpati Didis,’ serving as tangible evidence of the government’s dedication to female empowerment, Majhi said.
On farmers’ welfare, the Chief Minister asserted that his government has ensured farmer prosperity by purchasing paddy at a rate of Rs 3,100 per quintal.
He said the input assistance of Rs 800 per quintal of paddy is being given for both Kharif and Rabi crops.
Beyond these measures, the state government continues to provide essential support to farmers affected by cyclones or unseasonal rainfall, he said.
“According to the latest data, the monthly income of farmers in Odisha in 2022 was only Rs 5,112, which is the second-lowest in the country. However, with our government’s input support, Subhadra, PM Kisan and CM Kisan schemes, the annual income of each farmer family has increased by at least Rs 61,000 as there is one Subhadra beneficiary in every farmer family,” Majhi said.
He stated that the government’s objective is to significantly multiply farmer incomes through crop diversification, fisheries, cattle rearing, animal husbandry, poultry farming and other ancillary activities.
The chief minister also stressed the importance of massive industrialisation as a vehicle for state-wide wealth creation.
Describing industries as the main pillars of future prosperity, he noted that the state is making strategic investments in infrastructure and vocational skills.
“Our double-engine government has taken extensive steps for infrastructure development in the state,” he said, adding that Odisha is the first choice of investors.
