‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ To Be Renamed; Fresh Guidelines Soon: Minister

Bhubaneswar: Plans are afoot to change the name of ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’, a flagship rural welfare scheme launched by the previous Biju Janata Dal (BJD) government in the state.

Disclosing this on Saturday, Panchayati Raj Minister Rabi Narayan Naik told reporters that the scheme ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’ will be renamed as ‘Bikashit Gaan, Bikashit Odisha’.

He said fresh guidelines for the scheme will be released by the state government in two days.

As per the revised guidelines, the Palli Sabha (village community meeting) will be in focus and panchayat representatives will be given power for the development of villages. The villages will be developed as per proposals received from the people living in rural areas, the Minister said.

The previous BJD government had modified the earlier ‘Ama Gaon Ama Bikash’ by giving it a new dimension in the form of ‘Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha’. The scheme was launched in all 30 districts last year in the state to augment rural infrastructure preserving the rich cultural heritage.

The scheme aims at empowering the villages with internet facilities, sports infrastructure, training hubs for SHGs, banking, and digital connectivity.