Odisha to increase quota for women in urban bodies

Bhubaneswar, July 13 (IANS) Odisha will increase the quota for women in the state's urban local bodies to 50 percent from the existing 33 percent, an official said Friday.

The urban local bodies in the state include three municipal corporations, 34 municipalities and 66 notified area councils. The decision will empower women in the state, a senior official of the state urban development department told IANS.

Fifty percent reservation has already been given to women in the state's panchayati raj institutions since last year.

To increase the quota for women in the urban local bodies, the government needs to amend the existing Odisha Municipal Act. The government is likely to present a bill in the assembly soon in this regard, the official added.