In a pivotal step towards realising the vision of a developed Odisha, Minister of Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR&DW), Rural Development Rabi Narayan Naik, chaired a comprehensive review meeting today at Lok Seva Bhawan.
The session focused on key rural welfare programs, emphasising grassroots empowerment and sustainable livelihoods for every household.
The meeting delved into the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), with a spotlight on curbing seasonal migration through an additional 200 days of state-supported employment. Minister Naik underscored the necessity of timely wage disbursements and the creation of durable rural infrastructure. He highlighted the state’s financial commitment, providing an extra Rs. 98 per labourer per day for the initial 100 days and Rs. 371 for the extended period, aiming to foster long-term economic stability in rural areas.
Labour welfare took centre stage as well, with directives issued to ensure all eligible workers receive labour cards and benefits promptly and transparently. “Panchayati Raj is the true platform for people’s governance, and our collective efforts will lead to a developed Odisha and a developed Bharat,” said Minister Naik, aligning the department’s goals with the broader national development agenda.
Progress on drinking water infrastructure was rigorously evaluated, including 207 Mega Drinking Water Projects. The Minister instructed officials to accelerate efforts to guarantee safe and sufficient water access for all rural households by March 2027, addressing a critical need in Odisha’s villages.
The implementation of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) was also on the agenda. Inputs from various departments have been compiled, and draft rules are set to be presented to the Tribal Advisory Committee soon, signalling advancements in tribal governance.
Under the “Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha (BGBO)” initiative, the review emphasised robust monitoring to ensure timely project completion for holistic rural transformation. Additionally, the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana has already delivered 1.68 lakh houses to beneficiaries. Minister Naik called for stringent quality checks and accurate identification of remaining eligible households, embodying the Antyodaya principle of uplifting the most marginalised.
A key outcome was the directive to assess departmental vacancies through a detailed manpower review. Proposals to fill positions will be processed, with follow-ups on pending court cases in the Hon’ble High Court. Where needed, new posts may be created to bolster the department’s capacity.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner-cum-Secretary S.N. Girish, Director (Drinking Water & Sanitation) Vineet Bharadwaj, Director (Special Projects) Siddarth Shankar Swain, Director-SIRD Smt. Madhumita Samal and other senior officials.
This review underscores the Odisha government’s renewed commitment to rural empowerment, infrastructure, and inclusive growth, paving the way for a more prosperous countryside.
