Amid intensifying political sparring in Mahakalapada over developmental works linked to Sarpanch Chameli Ojha, a routine administrative process has grabbed attention.
The social audit of Tikhiri Gram Panchayat in Kendrapara district’s Mahakalapada block has been completed, drawing praise and pointed questions from former Chief Secretary Pradeep Jena.
In a post on X, Jena welcomed the social audit of Tikhiri Gram Panchayat, describing it as “a highly welcome step” ordered under the Chief Secretary’s directives. However, he immediately raised two key concerns: Will the audit remain limited to Tikhiri Gram Panchayat alone, or will it extend to all gram panchayats in the Mahakalapada block? And will these audits be selective or conducted universally? Jena tagged the Kendrapara district administration and the Panchayati Raj department in his post, sparking a quick public discussion.
The Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department responded with a detailed clarification on social media. It stated that social audits are a mandatory biannual exercise across all gram panchayats in Odisha, strictly as per MGNREGA guidelines. The first phase runs from April to September, and the second from October to March every year.
For the 2026-27 financial year’s first phase, the department had issued a notification on April 9 outlining the social audit calendar for all 249 gram panchayats in Kendrapara district. According to the schedule, Tikhiri Gram Panchayat’s audit was conducted between May 2 and May 11 and has now been successfully completed.
As of June 19, 2026, social audits have been completed in 89 gram panchayats across the district. Work is ongoing in the remaining panchayats, and the department has confirmed that the entire exercise will be wrapped up by July 17, 2026.
The clarification comes at a time when local governance and developmental works in Mahakalapada have become a flashpoint between political parties. By framing the Tikhiri audit as part of a statewide, time-bound, and transparent process, the department has sought to underscore that the exercise is neither selective nor targeted.
The exchange between the senior IAS officer and the department has quickly gained traction on social media, highlighting growing public interest in accountability mechanisms at the grassroots level.
