Khurda: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday launched the much-hyped transformative umbrella scheme – ‘Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha’ aimed at accelerated rural development in the state.
The scheme was launched at a special event attended by Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Rabi Narayan Naik, Khurdha MLA Prasanta Jagadev, Bhubaneswar-Ekamra MLA Babu Singh, Chanchal Rana and other dignitaries
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister underlined the need to separate politics and development to ensure speedy progress of the state.
‘Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha’ programme seeks to directly address the concerns of rural inhabitants, listen to their specific needs. The state government will spend around Rs 5,000 crore in the next five years to take up a number of initiatives under the scheme.
The primary focus of this initiative is to enhance the basic infrastructure of villages while also improving connectivity in rural areas.
Stressing that the government is committed to the development of every village, the Chief Minister quoted Mahatma Gandhi, stating that ‘India lives in its villages,’ a sentiment that remains pertinently significant today.
Notably, in order to boost the rural infrastructure, enhance the quality of life in rural Odisha, and foster economic growth for the holistic development of the State, the Odisha government has come up with the ‘Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha’ scheme.
The ambitious scheme aims to bridge the critical gaps leading to accelerated and inclusive growth in rural Odisha by taking up various sustainable developmental projects. This will substantially lead to the development of varied forms of infrastructure and will act as a gateway to fulfil the objectives of Bikashita Odisha.
The comprehensive rural development program aims to transform Odisha’s villages by focusing on infrastructure, civic amenities, and educational facilities. With a budget allocation of Rs 5,000 crore over five years, the scheme emphasizes creating long-lasting assets for rural communities.
Key features include the development of rural road infrastructure, improvement of sports and educational facilities, and boosting rural tourism. The initiative aligns with the broader vision of achieving a developed Odisha by 2036, in sync with the national goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Targeting the previous BJD regime, Majhi said said, “The previous government that ruled 24 years in Odisha had conspired to create vote bank in name of 5T. However, the BJP government will continue fighting poverty and backwardness. Under this scheme, each village will be developed within five years.”
Strongly criticising the newly-launched scheme, senior BJD leader and former Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain said the previous government had allotted Rs 3397 crore for “Ama Odisha Nabin Odisha” programme.
However, only Rs 1000 crore per annum has been earmarked for Bikashita Gaon Bikashita Odisha scheme, he said, adding that the allotted money may reach district collectors but unlikely to be spent before March 31 as the financial year is coming to an end.
The eight-time MLA further claimed that administration and governance is now in a state of coma In Odisha.
