ROURKELA: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said his government is committed to prevent discrimination against girl child and women.
"We understand and recognise the power the women and the girl child have. We will not allow any kind of discrimination against them. Discrimination against them is more dangerous than terrorism," Patnaik said at the end of a two-day training programme of Biju Yuva Janata Dal here.
Recalling his father and erstwhile chief minister late Biju Patnaik's regard for women, the BJD president said "Even Biju Babu was very concerned about the development of the women and he never favoured any discrimination."
On youth power, Patnaik said "I have full confidence and faith in the immense possibility and potentiality the youth have despite all the odds the state faces."
He said 50 per cent of Odisha's population was below 50 years and 65 per cent below 35 years.
"So just imagine the kind of potentiality we have if we utilise this age group in the interest of the state," he said and asked the youths to take benefit of the state's youth policy.
Time has come to develop the self confidence and skills of the youth, Patnaik said the BJD government was going in a big way for their skill and potential developing and training along with providing them quality technical education.
Referring to the Software Technology Park of India (STPI) here, he said the capacity of its incubation centre would be doubled soon so that local entrepreneurs got the right chance.
He said Rs 150 crore had been provided to Biju Patnaik University of Technology (BPUT) here and another Rs 30 crores for development of its laboratories. "Besides, steps were being initiated for setting up medical colleges at Sundergarh, Kalahandi and Bolangir".
On industrial potentiality of the state, he said "At this moment the state has over 7 steel plants and some other projects would come up soon. Soon we will be offering opportunities to the youths of the state."
Earlier, Patnaik inaugurated the centre for Advanced Post Graduate Studies at BPUT campus and flagged off the City Town Bus service.