In a high-level secretaries’ meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg at Kharavel Bhawan, senior officials reviewed departmental performance, celebrated key achievements, and finalised ambitious plans to showcase the state government’s two-year milestones to the public.
The meeting highlighted Odisha’s impressive strides across multiple sectors. Garg praised the state’s success in winning five National Panchayat Awards 2025 in New Delhi, a surge in foreign tourist arrivals in 2025, and strong performance under the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana for solar energy adoption.
She also lauded the landmark MoU with Intel and 3DGS in the Electronics & IT sector, which is expected to drive major investments and job creation, alongside OPGC’s contributions to power security.
Financial Performance and Directives
Officials reviewed expenditure against budget provisions up to May 2026. Departments such as Water Resources, Rural Development, Fisheries & Animal Resources, Handlooms, and Commerce & Transport showed improved spending compared to the previous year. The Chief Secretary directed all departments to accelerate expenditure, particularly in infrastructure, while boosting revenue collection.
The meeting prioritised implementation of Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s instructions and observations (UOI Notes). Preparations were also discussed for the NITI Aayog Governing Council meeting on June 11 in New Delhi, themed “Human Capital for Viksit Bharat,” building on earlier Chief Secretaries’ meetings.
Two-Year Government Achievements Outreach
A major focus was on a statewide public outreach campaign to highlight the government’s two years of people-centric governance. Additional Chief Secretary (Information & Public Relations) Hemant Sharma presented a detailed plan involving events at the state, district, block, and gram panchayat levels.
Key highlights include:
- State-level programs featuring President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 20 in Rairangpur.
- A press conference by CM Majhi on June 9 about the Centre’s 12-year journey and the state’s achievements.
- A five-day exhibition in Bhubaneswar (June 12–16), International Yoga Day on June 21, and student-led cleanliness drives.
- District-level seminars on “Viksit Odisha for Viksit Bharat,” exhibitions, project visits, and organic farming workshops.
- Block-level week-long exhibitions and gram panchayat events promoting schemes like Subhadra Shakti, Annapurna, and Kanya Bibaha Yojana.
Garg emphasised inter-departmental coordination for maximum public participation.
Spotlight on Cuttack and OSRTC
Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde delivered a comprehensive presentation on “Viksit Odisha, Kriyashila Cuttack.” He outlined plans to elevate the historic Bali Yatra internationally, develop silver filigree hubs, upgrade temples like Maa Chandi and Dhabaleswar, restore the Prachi River, and advance key projects in textiles, handicrafts, tourism, irrigation, roads, and healthcare (including SCB Medical College).
Commerce & Transport Principal Secretary & OSRTC Chairman N.B.S. Rajput showcased the corporation’s turnaround. Through 100% cashless ticketing, IT integration, fleet modernisation, EV adoption, and solar power use, OSRTC has moved from losses to profit in 2025-26 while expanding inter-state services and building smart, green bus infrastructure. The meeting applauded these reforms as a model of good governance.
Additional Chief Secretaries Chitra Arumugam and Usha Padhee, along with other senior officials, attended the meeting.
