Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Friday announced a slew of benefits for women including free education if Congress is voted to power in Odisha.

"We have taken some decisions in our manifesto for women in Odisha. If Congress is voted to power in the state, all women would be provided free education, be it in engineering, medical, school, college or any other disciplines," said Gandhi addressing a public meeting in Jeypore.

He said financial assistance would be provided to poor girls for marriage, while Rs 2,000 monthly pension would be provided to widows.

Besides, Congress will appoint special women safety officers in every Gram Panchayat to curb violence against women in the state, he added.

The Congress president promised to waive off farm loan in the state and provide a minimum support price of not less than Rs 2,500 for paddy per quintal to the farmers.

Gandhi also attacked the Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

He said the Odisha government is being governed by 4-5 officers, not by the "voice of the people" of the state.

"While we are protecting the lands of the people, Patnaik is taking your land without asking you and handing over them to industrialists. He is benefiting a handful of people," he added.

--IANS

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