Bhubaneswar The Odisha government on Monday appointed chairpersons and vice-chairpersons to Special Development Councils (SDCs) in 23 districts, marking a significant step toward grassroots-level governance and welfare implementation in tribal regions.
This comes almost one and a half years after the new BJP government led by Chief Minister Mohan Majhi dissolved the councils, established by the previous BJD regime, citing their continued dysfunction and failure to achieve the intended objectives.
The SDCs were the brainchild of the Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Initially, these councils were established on September 21, 2017, in nine districts – Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Gajapati, Kandhamal, Rayagada, Malkangiri, Nabarangpur, and Koraput – inhabited by 62 tribal communities and 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), with the aim of actively involving tribal communities in the state’s development process. In May 2023, the BJD government expanded the SDCs to 14 additional districts in an apparent bid to woo tribal voters ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections. The newly included districts were Balangir, Ganjam, Boudh, Balasore, Sambalpur, Dhenkanal, Kalahandi, Nayagarh, Nuapada, Angul, Bargarh, Jajpur, Jharsuguda, and Deogarh.
The SDCs are designed to serve as district-level planning and implementation bodies. Once funds are allocated, they will identify priority areas, allocate resources, and execute projects tailored to local needs. Their mandate includes promoting tribal art, culture, traditions, and heritage; supporting infrastructure and livelihood initiat
ives; and improving socio-economic conditions for tribal populations. The councils emphasise community-driven development to ensure inclusivity and cultural preservation alongside economic progress.
Complete List of Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons
Angul: Chairman – Basistha Nayak; Vice-Chairman – Surumani Chhatar
Bolangir: Chairman – Ballav Dharua; Vice-Chairman – Jayanti Bhoi
Balasore: Chairman – Bipin Marandi; Vice-Chairman – Jharana Singh
Bargarh: Chairman – Gobardhan Bhoy; Vice-Chairman – Tilotama Bhue
Boudh: Chairman – Damarudhar Kanhar; Vice-Chairman – Jharana Jani
Deogarh: Chairman – Prashanta Kumar Behera; Vice-Chairman – Pramila Kisan
Dhenkanal: Chairman – Nauri Singh; Vice-Chairman – Sebati Bhoi
Gajapati: Chairman – Kamdev Badnayak; Vice-Chairman – Pankajini Dalai
Ganjam: Chairman – Nilamadhab Patra; Vice-Chairman – Lalita Pradhan
Jajpur: Chairman – Rajendra Kandulia; Vice-Chairman – Sani Jarika
Jharsuguda: Chairman – Samal Naik; Vice-Chairman – Sanjukta Oram
Kalahandi: Chairman – Bijay Kumar Disari; Vice-Chairman – Rina Bhoi
Kandhamal: Chairman – Managobinda Pradhan; Vice-Chairman – Kaplana Kumari Kanhar
Keonjhar: Chairman – Mamita Naik; Vice-Chairman – Manas Kumar Naik
Koraput: Chairman – Bhagaban Muduli; Vice-Chairman – Sukanti Majhi
Malkangiri: Chairman – Gangadhar Sodi; Vice-Chairman – Sabitri Padiami
Mayurbhanj: Chairman – Dr Budhan Murmu; Vice-Chairman – Koushalya Naik
Nabarangpur: Chairman – Basanti Majhi; Vice-Chairman – Lingaraj Bhatra
Nuapada: Chairman – Er Homesingh Majhi; Vice-Chairman – Belamati Majhi
Rayagada: Chairman – Bidyadhar Sabar; Vice-Chairman – Majula Miniaka
Sambalpur: Chairman – Bhagindra Kisan; Vice-Chairman – Sushama Munda
Sundargarh: Chairman – Santosh Kumar Amat; Vice-Chairman – Gangi Kindo
Earlier this month, four ministers and 26 MLAs of the ruling BJP were appointed as chairpersons of the District Planning Committees (DPC).