Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi participated in the in the traditional royal court of mythological king Kansa at Bargarh Dhanu Yatra on the seventh day of the open-air theatre on Tuesday.
During the show, King Kansa addressed the Chief Minister as the ‘Emperor of Kalinga’ and sought to know details of the steps had been taken for the development of Mathura Nagari (Bargarh).
While responding, CM Majhi said that 123 development projects worth over Rs 1,362 crore were launched for Bargarh on Tuesday. He also announced four new projects with an outlay of about Rs 380 crore.
The Chief Minister informed foundation stones had been laid for 85 projects worth Rs 980.58 crore, while 38 development projects costing Rs 382.26 crore were inaugurated in the district.
Regarding welfare initiatives, he said under the Subhadra Yojana, 3,41,614 women in Bargarh have received financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each. He also stated during the 2024-25 kharif and rabi seasons, paddy procurement from 2,41,135 farmers amounted to nearly 13.99 lakh metric tonnes, with payments and input assistance totalling ₹4,338 crore, he said.
Impressed with the response, King Kansa said, “Mahaveer Kansa has attained contentment,” drawing applause from the audience.
The Chief Minister announced several new projects for Bargarh, including the construction of a sewage treatment plant on Jira River at a cost of Rs 132 crore, development of a vending zone at Hatpada under Bargarh Municipality for Rs 30 crore, construction of a modern bus terminal under Atal Bus Stand scheme at a cost of Rs 65 crore, and an inland water reservoir at Grindola with an investment of Rs 150 crore. The four projects will involve an expenditure of about Rs 380 crore.
Hailing Dhanu Yatra as a model of India’s “cultural economy”, the CM said the festival is a fine example of spirituality embedded in social life.
He announced an increase in the state grant for the festival from Rs one crore to Rs 1.5 crore and said that 200 prominent artists had been honoured with Rs 10,000 each.
Majhi also laid the foundation stone for the long-promised Rangamahal (theatre complex) for Dhanu Yatra, to be built at a cost of around Rs 12.80 crore, which he said would gain global recognition. Efforts are underway to secure UNESCO recognition for the festival, he added.
Warning against corruption from the symbolic court of Kansa Maharaj, the Chief Minister cautioned corrupt officials and urged government employees to prioritise public service, stressing the state’s zero tolerance towards corruption.
