Other States - Orissa   

Central scheme for women, youth representatives yet to take off

BHUBANESWAR: It was a game of political one-upmanship the Orissa government seemed to be playing by allegedly delaying the launching of a Centrally-sponsored scheme.

Panchayat Mahilaevam Yuva Shakti Abhijan (PMYSA), which has already been launched in 15 States, could not get under way in Orissa as Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik ostensibly did not have time to share the dais with Union Panchayat Raj Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar at a State-level meeting.

The PMYSA is aimed at empowering elected women and youth representatives in a systematic, programmatic manner and not relying on ad hoc and sporadic interventions. It has been introduced in 11th five-year plan.

“We have completed all spade work.

The action plan has been drawn and resource centres in all 30 districts have been set up. The project has not got the kind of response from Orissa government as it should have,” said Suparno Satpathy, convenor of PMYSA, who has been appointed by Centre.

The last leg of launching of the project is a State-level sammelan where the elected women representatives will assemble together for two-three days to debate, discuss and deliberate on the issues that affect them as panchayat raj representatives.

“Despite numerous reminders, phone conversations and a personal letter from Mr. Aiyar, we have not received any concrete response from Chief Minister’s Office. Only one acknowledgement from CMO has been received till date,” Mr. Satpathy said.

In his letter, Mr. Aiyar clearly indicated that the file had been pending with the State government though considerable amount of preparatory work has been undertaken during past one year. When contacted State Panchayat Raj Minister Raghunath Mohanty said he was not aware of the development.

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