[Bhubaneswar], 12/1 : In a decisive move to accelerate rural infrastructure development across the state, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi chaired a high-level review meeting at the Lok Seva Bhawan today, assessing the status of ongoing projects sanctioned under the ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ (AONO) initiative.
The review marks a significant shift in the state’s administrative approach, with the Chief Minister emphasizing that while the scheme is undergoing a strategic rebranding to ‘Bikashita Gaan, Bikashita Odisha’, the execution of pending groundwork must not stall. The meeting, attended by Chief Secretary Anu Garg, senior officials from the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, and district collectors via video conferencing, focused on bridging the gap between sanctioned funds and actual ground-level execution.
“The development of our villages is non-negotiable. While we are refining the policy framework to ensure greater participation of Gram Sabhas, the projects already initiated—particularly those concerning the preservation of Jagannath culture and digital connectivity—must be completed with zero compromise on quality,” CM Majhi stated during the address.
The ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ scheme, originally launched with a budget of over ₹3,397 crore, aimed to transform rural Odisha by providing ₹50 lakh to every panchayat. However, the review highlighted several bottlenecks, including delayed utilization certificates (UCs) and stalled temple renovation works in coastal districts.
Sources close to the CMO revealed that the Chief Minister took a stern view of the “missing links” in project data. He directed the department to conduct a physical verification of 20% of the projects in each block within the next 30 days. This directive comes amidst the government’s broader push to ensure that the vision of a “Viksit Odisha” (Developed Odisha) by 2036 is built on a foundation of transparency.
Key highlights of the review included:
Cultural Heritage: A mandate to expedite the restoration of local places of worship, a core component of the scheme, ensuring that the sentiments of the rural populace are respected and the works are completed before the upcoming festive season.
Digital Infrastructure: The CM expressed concern over the slow pace of internet integration in remote panchayats. He ordered the Science and Technology Department to coordinate with local bodies to ensure that the “smart village” component of the scheme becomes a reality, not just a promise.
Accountability: A new dashboard will be integrated into the state’s monitoring portal, allowing citizens to view the real-time status of projects in their panchayats, replacing the opaque mechanisms of the past.
“We are committed to a seamless transition. The funds belong to the people of Odisha, and every rupee must translate into tangible assets,” the Chief Minister remarked, signaling that the administration will not tolerate lethargy in execution.
The review is seen as a strategic step by the Majhi government to consolidate rural development gains while preparing the ground for the implementation of its own flagship rural schemes in the coming fiscal year.
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