The Odisha government today launched the ‘Nari Adalat’ pilot project to provide amicable resolution of civil, family and dowry-related disputes, aiming to significantly reduce pending litigation and strengthen access to justice at the grassroots level.

The initiative was jointly launched by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida and Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan across 10 Panchayats in 10 districts of the state.

Under a specialized jury system, women will be empowered to ensure transparency and accessible justice. Supported by the Taluka Legal Service Cell Authorities, the project seeks to establish a swift and effective legal framework for women at the village level, the Law Minister said.

The Nari Adalat initiative focuses on creating awareness about women’s rights and promoting speedy dispute resolution through dialogue and mediation. Matters related to domestic violence, dowry, child protection and property rights will be addressed through this platform, ensuring timely justice at the Panchayat level.

Alongside the launch of Nari Adalat, the Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated the week-long state-wide celebrations of National Girl Child Day–2026 under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme, to be observed from January 17 to 24.

As part of the celebrations, awareness rallies, college-level competitions, felicitation of meritorious students, and coordination meetings with allied departments will be organised across all 30 districts of the state.

The campaign aims to curb gender-based sex selection, promote gender equality and foster positive societal attitudes towards the girl child.

During the event, several schemes, campaigns and projects under the Department of Women and Child Development were also launched. The operational guidelines of the centrally sponsored ‘PALNA’ (Anganwadi-cum-Crèche) Scheme were unveiled.

Implemented under a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the State, the PALNA scheme aims to provide a safe, nurturing and child-friendly environment for children aged 6 months to 3 years, ensuring nutrition, health, safety and cognitive development. The initiative is also expected to boost workforce participation among working mothers.

In the first phase, 168 Anganwadi Centres across 25 districts have been identified and operationalised as PALNA Centres. These centres will offer child protection services, supplementary nutrition, safe sleeping facilities, early childhood stimulation, growth monitoring, health check-ups and immunisation support.

Additionally, the Deputy Chief Minister virtually inaugurated a 100-bed new building of Utkal Balashram at Jajpur, constructed at a cost of Rs 2.49 crore from the State Budget. Modern kitchen facilities were also inaugurated at the Utkal Balashrams in Puri and Jajpur to ensure hygienic and nutritious food for resident children. The State government plans to extend this facility to other districts in a phased manner.

She also virtually laid the foundation stone for two Integrated Vatsalya Sadans in Khordha and Gajapati districts, which will house Child Care Institutions, Child Welfare Committees and Juvenile Justice Boards under one roof to provide child-friendly, timely and hassle-free services to children in need of care and protection.