Odisha’s Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg led a high-level review meeting with district collectors to evaluate progress on key development initiatives.
The agenda focused on Anganwadi centre upgrades, MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLALAD) implementation, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
To begin with, the review assessed the status of 74,224 Anganwadi Centres across the state. Principal Secretary Subha Sharma highlighted the urgent need for electricity, drinking water, toilets, and kitchen sheds at all centres. Consequently, collectors received instructions to ensure 100% facility coverage by November and to initiate construction work wherever pending.
Meanwhile, the MLALAD allocation for FY 2025–26 increased to ₹735 crore, raising the per-constituency fund from ₹3 crore to ₹5 crore. In August 2025, the government launched a digital portal to streamline proposals, approvals, fund flow, and execution. As a result, collectors and Zilla Parishads must expedite project approvals and ensure timely implementation.
Additionally, under the Chief Minister’s Assistance Scheme (CM-AS), collectors were directed to conduct quarterly reviews, update data regularly on both MLALAD and CM-AS portals, and ensure prompt fund utilization and reporting.
Turning to climate-resilient development, the Odisha Integrated Irrigation Project for Climate-Resilient Agriculture (OIIPCRA) came under review. Supported by the World Bank, this initiative spans 538 minor irrigation projects across 15 districts. It integrates agriculture, horticulture, and irrigation activities. Collectors were advised to monitor project outcomes and promote sustainable practices.
Finally, the Green Climate Fund (GCF) project was reviewed for its contribution to building climate-resilient urban infrastructure across Odisha.
