The third session on Day 2 of the consultative conference, jointly organised by the Planning & Convergence Department and Odisha Centre for Integrated Development (OCID) at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre, focused on Odia identity and good governance.
Speaking on the occasion, Suresh Kumar Vashishth, Principal Secretary, General Administration & Public Grievance Department, highlighted how transparent, citizen-centric and responsive governance is being ensured through timely and simplified service delivery mechanisms. He informed that 445 services across 32 departments are currently being delivered under the Right to Public Services Act.
Under the Act, officers and employees who fail to deliver services within the stipulated timeframe are being held accountable. He further stated that service delivery has been made easier through digital fast interventions such as the Ama Sathi Dashboard and WhatsApp chatbot. Efforts are also underway to integrate systems so that citizens can access services seamlessly without having to stand in queues, thereby ensuring efficient and hassle-free governance.
At the meeting, Dr. Pabitra Mohan Samal, Principal Secretary, Law Department, made a detailed presentation on various initiatives undertaken by the State Government to strengthen the justice delivery system. He highlighted key reforms such as the rollout of the e-Courts app, establishment of paperless courts, appointment of non-cadre Public Prosecutors along with their training arrangements, setting up of the State Law Academy, and formulation of the Odisha Replant Bill, 2026. Dr. Samal also stated that these measures would significantly contribute towards achieving the vision of Viksit Odisha @ 2036 . He further emphasized that to make the State’s development goals fully effective, it is essential to understand issues at the grassroots level and design policies and programmes accordingly.
Secretary of the Odia Language, Literature & Culture Department, Dr. Bijay Ketan Upadhyaya, while addressing the “Vikas Manthan” programme, stated that the wide promotion and dissemination of Odia language, literature and culture remains a top priority of the Government.
He informed that in the 2026–27 financial year budget, an allocation of Rs 614.97 crore has been made for the Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture. In addition, Rs 1,000 crore has been earmarked for the establishment of the Shri Jagannath Museum in Puri, and Rs 800 crore has been allocated for setting up a state-of-the-art museum in Bhubaneswar.
A provision of Rs 10 crore has been planned for the establishment of the Mayurbhanj Chhau Academy at Baripada to promote the traditional Chhau dance form.
To preserve and celebrate the legacy and ideals of eminent personalities, the Government has launched the “Odisha Baraputra Aitihya Grama Yojna”. Under this initiative, the ancestral homes of distinguished personalities will be developed into museums, along with the establishment of interpretation centres, libraries, statues and memorials. An amount of up to Rs 15 crore will be spent for the development of each birthplace under the scheme.
Dr. Upadhyaya further stated that for the first time, “Odia Pakhya” was celebrated across the State in 2025 and it will be observed with greater grandeur this year as well. The Government is committed to conducting official work in the Odia language. To facilitate this, the Odia Bhasa Pratisthan is organising regular training programmes to encourage the use of Odia in government offices.
He also highlighted that through the Cultural Troupe Management System of the Culture Department, the engagement of cultural troupes in various State-level programmes has been streamlined and made more efficient.
The Department has also organised a mass rendition of “Vande Mataram.” On the occasion of National Youth Day on January 12, more than 29 lakh students from educational institutions across the State participated in a collective singing of the national song.
The Secretary also emphasized that alongside the promotion of Odia language, literature and culture, the Department is committed to contributing towards the vision of “Viksit Odisha–2036” and “Viksit Bharat–2047.”
At the Vikash Manthan review platform, Director of Tourism Shri Deepankar Mohapatra presented the Government of Odisha’s comprehensive roadmap to position the State as a world-class destination under the vision “Think India, Think Odisha.” Fifteen priority eco-cultural destinations are being developed as tourism hubs, while the flagship Puri–Konark Heritage Corridor is being strengthened. Land parcels for tourism projects are being scientifically identified and made available through consent-based processes under IPR norms to ensure planned infrastructure growth.
Through the Odisha Tourism (Amendment) Policy, 2026, investment slabs have been rationalised, special tourism zones expanded and enhanced incentives introduced, including support for women, SC/ST and differently-abled entrepreneurs, along with incentives for heritage hotels, museums, MICE tourism, promotion of Odia cuisine, eco-tourism and art & craft theme complexes.
The State is also promoting Odisha Adventure Tourism with trekking, water sports, coastal and hill experiences, alongside caravan tourism facilities and homestay establishments in rural and heritage areas to offer authentic hospitality and create local livelihoods. Skill development, accreditation of tourism service providers, destination management systems and support through the State Tourism Advisory Council are further enhancing visitor experience.
Aligned with Vision 2029, 2036 and 2047, these initiatives reaffirm the Government of Odisha’s commitment to making tourism a key driver of employment, heritage preservation and sustainable growth, firmly placing Odisha on the global tourism map.
The session was moderated by Professor Banchhanidhi Panda, Sambalpur University and Prof. Charudatta Panigrahi, a technocrat and policy expert, member of GIFT, NITI Aayog(Goa) was co-moderater of the session.
