Odisha Panchayati Raj Minister Emphasises On Education, Health & Roads In Rural Areas

Bhubaneswar: Minister of Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Pradip Kumar Amat on Monday called upon the department officials and field functionaries to give major thrust to strengthen education, health, road infrastructure and social security in rural areas.

Speaking at a two-day state-level conference of the department in Bhubaneswar, the minister said the state government has always given priority to connect the rural people with the pace of development and the department plays a pivotal role in all-round development of the rural population.

He further said in order to ensure public trust in government and proper management and execution of welfare schemes, team work and consistent efforts are needed. He directed the department officials and field functionaries to put emphasis on maintenance of school, PHCs, health sub-centres, village roads and make an assessment of panchayat and block roads by end of January 2023.

The minister also directed them to achieve 100% target in supply of drinking water to each household in rural areas through Functional Household Tap Connection (FHTC) by 2024. They should give priority to natural resources management works and agriculture and allied activities to boost livelihoods of the rural people, he added.

A special interaction session on 5T and ‘Mo Sarkar’ was held under the chairmanship of 5T secretary VK Pandian on the first day of the conference. Discussions were held on School Transformation under 5T along with special focus on maintenance of schools under the programme.

Pandian advised the field level officials to maintain transparency in such programmes. He also advised to improve the level of efficiency and become more transparent towards the duties performed by each field official.

Among others, Development Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Jena, Principal Secretary, Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Sushil Kumar Lohani, all Chief Development Officers-cum-Executive Officers, Zilla Parishad, BDOs, District Panchayat Officers and senior officials of the department were present at the occasion.