Puri, Apr 24 (Orissa Today) Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi stated that the state government is taking all necessary steps to strengthen the Panchayati Raj system.
Speaking at the National Panchayati Raj Day celebration, Majhi emphasised that infrastructure, such as electricity, roads, and water, is the top priority in rural areas. “We are giving importance to building all these infrastructures,” he added.
To this end, the Chief Minister announced the ‘Developed Village, Developed Odisha’ initiative, with a target of providing drinking water to all villages by 2026.
Majhi began his address by paying tribute to the tourists who lost their lives in the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam.
He said the Panchayati Raj system is actively addressing the basic problems faced by the people of the state. Over the last three years, several Gram Panchayats in Odisha have received national recognition, bringing pride to the state.
The Chief Minister described the Panchayati Raj system as a “real laboratory” for realising the dream of holistic development for the women of Odisha, noting that 50 per cent of the seats in the system are reserved for women.
He praised the efforts of women Panchayat representatives, stating that they are working diligently for the development of their regions. Over the past three decades, the Panchayati Raj system has produced many leaders at both the state and national levels.
Majhi shared that he himself began his journey in public service as a Panchayat representative in 1997. He remarked that for the past two and a half decades, the Gram Sabha and Palli Sabha—the core of the Panchayati Raj system—had become inactive.
“But now, our government has established a system where villagers themselves will make decisions for the development of their villages,” he said.
The Chief Minister further stated that under the Antyodaya Griha Yojana, the government plans to provide housing to 5 lakh poor families over the next three years, with an investment of ₹7,550 crore.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, more than 23 lakh houses have already been built in the state, and over 4 lakh houses are currently under construction. The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to providing permanent (pucca) housing to all eligible families.
On this occasion, Majhi also launched the distribution of new ration cards to 6 lakh beneficiaries, along with the e-Panchayat Sabha portal developed by NIC, the PPMS Portal, and the Panchayat Monitoring System. He announced the distribution of Rs.32 crore in incentive funds to 613 village panchayats.
Additionally, over two lakh Subhadra beneficiaries received two installments of Rs.10,000 each. The foundation stone was also laid for the construction of 314 block-level stadiums in the state, with an investment of Rs.4,124 crore.
