Odisha’s Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management, Suresh Pujari, chaired a high-level review meeting at Lok Seva Bhavan to assess various development projects in Lakhanpur Block.
The Minister directed the Block Development Officer (BDO) to issue show-cause notices to agencies and contractors who have been delaying works due to negligence and to cancel their work orders wherever necessary if projects are not completed within the stipulated time frame.
Emphasising public welfare, Minister Pujari stated that delivering quality work for the common people is a moral responsibility of the administration. He instructed officials to strictly monitor contractors and ensure all projects are completed within the scheduled deadlines.
During the meeting, the Block Development Officer informed that in the last two years, 831 projects worth ₹45.29 crore have been successfully completed in Lakhanpur Block. Currently, 803 projects estimated at ₹73.14 crore are in progress.
In this context, the Minister issued specific directives for the timely completion of ongoing works:
- All CSR-funded projects should be expedited and completed at the earliest.
- Construction of 217 roads must be accelerated, with all pending projects to be finished by May 15.
- 84 water body projects under Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) should be completed before June 15, with immediate fund mobilisation.
- 118 bathing ghats (community bathing places) are to be completed by June 15.
- Kalyan Mandaps at Kutrapali and Bhikampali should be finished soon.
- Out of 33 Public Utility Centres (PUCs), 17 have been completed, 14 are in progress, and the remaining 2 must be started immediately.
- The Agricultural Research Centre (ARC) at Bhikampali, street lighting works at various locations, and SHG Work Shed Centres for women empowerment should be completed expeditiously.
- Foundation surveys for 62 school buildings, with funding from MCL, should be carried out immediately by the Block Education Officer (BEO) and BDO.
Keeping in view the prevailing heatwave conditions in the state, the Minister directed officials to ensure quality checks on drinking water projects and guarantee safe drinking water supply to all villages in Lakhanpur Block.
The meeting was attended by the Minister’s Private Secretary, Pradeep Kumar Sahu, the Block Development Officer of Lakhanpur, Assistant Executive Engineer, and, through virtual mode, the District Collector of Jharsuguda, Additional District Collector, Chief Development Officer, District Council Executive Officer, officials from MCL and Burla, the Panchayat Samiti Chairperson, and other public representatives.
The review meeting reflects the state government’s strong commitment to accelerating development and ensuring accountability in public works.
