Bhubaneswar: A one-day State-level orientation of Mukta professionals was inaugurated today by Smt Usha Devi, Minister of Housing & Urban Development. In her address, she told that MUKTA- Mukhyamantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan is an Urban Wage Employment Programme introduced in a mid of COVID pandemic for Providing a socio-economic safety net by rapid mass employment opportunities for the migrant/informal workers. It is an inclusive programme and comes under the 5T Governance Mantra of the Hon’ble Chief Minister.
“MUKTA adopts a community-driven, participatory and bottom-up approach ensuring transparency and accountability in the entire execution process. Our Department has always strived to achieve speed and scale without negotiating with quality and transparency in the implementation of MUKTA,” she said.
During the last 28 months, around 45,000 projects have been implemented across 115 Urban Local Bodies of the State. More than 40 lakhs man-days have been generated directly benefitting around 6 lakh urban poor and migrant labourers, of which close to 40% are women beneficiaries. 36,000 Rainwater Harvesting Systems have been created under the “Catch the Rain Campaign” in different ULBs. About 18,000Mission Shakti groups and Slum dweller associations have been partnered in MUKTA for the execution of about 45,000 Projects, the H&UD Minsiter added.
While acknowledging the kind consideration of the Hon’ble Chief Minister for allocating Rs. 1,000 Crores for MUKTA Scheme, which would benefit urban poor and migrant workers at large in terms of gaining livelihood opportunities at their doorsteps, Minister Usha Devi advised that the Team must strive hard to make the vision of Hon’ble Chief Minister a reality and make continuous efforts to reach the last mile and make a mark in the urban landscape of the State through the implementation of MUKTA.
“Mukta professionals in the ULBs play a key role in providing techno-managerial support and extending end-to-end facilitation support to Mission Shakti groups and Slum dweller associations for smooth execution of MUKTA scheme, the H&UD Minister said.
“I hope you will work hard in an honest, transparent and diligent way to help in the proper implementation of projects under MUKTA, she concluded.
G Mathi Vathanan, Principal Secretary, in his address, told that to put in record that “Mukhya Mantri Karma Tatpara Abhiyan”(MUKTA) is a flagship programme of the State Government, which was launched by the Hon’ble Chief Minister on 18th April 2020 with a vision to create livelihood opportunities for urban poor and migrant workers rendered unemployed and vulnerable in the face of Covid-19. This Initiative has received 2 International Awards namely the Medal of Honour and the Online Popular City Award for Urban Innovation at the prestigious 2020 Guangzhou International Award.
Odisha’s MUKTA has been selected as one of the top five finalists for the 2021-22 WRI Ross Centre Prize for Cities. The Prize recognizes MUKTA’s swift action to create mass employment and infrastructure during the Covid-19 pandemic. He also emphasized on community-driven, participatory and bottom-up approach ensuring transparency and accountability in the entire execution process of Mukta and warned of any lapses.
Sangramjit Naik, Director of Municipal Administration spoke on MUKTA and informed that the Scheme focuses on the Ward of a ULB as the unit for development and creation of sustainable community-based assets at each of the 2055 Wards across 115 ULBs of the State in a saturation mode.
Director SUDA & Joint Secretary Sarada Prasad Panda, in his welcome address, informed about the Context setting & objective of the State level Orientation programme and Additional Secretary Durgesh Nandini Sahoo proposed a hearty vote of thanks. Around 345 MUKTA professionals from 115 ULBs and other Official have attended the Orientation workshop.
