Dikhyaa Mohanty 
According to Women and Child Development (W&CD) Minister Basanti Hembram, Odisha stands out as an achiever in the nation with the largest drop in infant death rate and second highest decline in maternal mortality rate. Hembram, speaking to the media at Geeta Gobinda Sadan today on Budget 2023–24, stated: “Our Government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has consistently and unwaveringly placed women and children in the centre position when drafting policies.
According to Hembram, Odisha is one of the few states that has successfully implemented gender and child budgeting, resulting in a steady stream of cash for the enhancement of women’s and children’s nutritional status, early child care, and adolescent empowerment. The Minister stated that during the Covid-19 outbreak, the government launched the Ashirbad initiative to help children who lost their parents by providing financial aid, which has benefitted 46,704 children.
She said that the well-known MAMATA program had spent Rs 2676.42 crore and contributed financially to the development of the nutritional and health status of 55.84 lakh expectant and nursing women, lowering maternal and infant mortality. In 2023–2024, Hembram stated, “We have recommended an outlay of Rs 52 crore under Ashirbad and Rs 219 crore under MAMATA plan.
