Mission Shakti Set for Major Reorganization; New Phase of Women’s Leadership Ahead

Kakatpur : A strict directive has been issued for the reorganization of Mission Shakti by the Women and Child Development Department and Mission Shakti Department under the BJP-led Odisha Government. The reorganization will cover all women’s self-help groups (SHGs) from village level up to the state level — including regional forums, Panchayat Mahila Mahasangh, Block Mahila Mahasangh, District Mahila Mahasangh, and State Mahila Mahasangh.

According to this, the leadership positions in all these groups will be restructured. Instructions in this regard have been sent to all districts and blocks by the state government, which has not gone down well among many women involved in the current structure.

Secretary of the Mission Shakti Department, Salini Pandit, has issued these orders through official communication, and Mission Shakti Minister and Deputy Chief Minister Prabhati Parida has also announced it through the media. All group positions will be restructured. It was alleged that the BJD used these roles to build a vote bank, and many of the women in leadership positions had been working under party instructions. Some of them have held onto their posts for years.

There are also allegations that a few powerful leaders misused their influence to embezzle lakhs of rupees. Particularly in CRP and MBK recruitments, several Mahasangh leaders are accused of large-scale financial dealings, often in collusion with local leaders and Mission Shakti BPCs and BPMs. These allegations were repeatedly brought to the attention of Minister Prabhati Parida.

Considering all aspects, the state government has decided to implement the restructuring across Odisha. This move has been welcomed by intellectual circles, though it has stirred fear and discontent among some corrupt women leaders. It is said that some of them have sleepless nights due to the fear of losing their positions and exposure of their financial misdeeds.

There are also allegations that Panchayat and Block Mahasangh leaders have been involved in misappropriating large amounts of funds. It is widely discussed among the public that a proper investigation could bring the real facts to light.