Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Monday announced a series of major development projects worth ₹1,101 crore for Nuapada district, reaffirming his government’s commitment to balanced regional growth and people-centric governance.
Addressing a large public gathering during his visit to Nuapada, the Chief Minister said the state government is working to ensure equitable development of all regions—big or small, remote or urban. “The doors are always open for the people of Nuapada. You can meet me anytime, and your issues will be addressed on priority,” he assured the residents.
During the visit, 109 projects worth ₹64.02 crore were inaugurated, and foundation stones for 39 projects worth ₹159.76 crore were laid. The Chief Minister also announced new projects worth ₹75.37 crore, and irrigation projects worth ₹802.09 crore aimed at boosting agricultural growth in the district.
Responding to long-pending public demands, Majhi announced the upgradation of Khariar Road from a Notified Area Council (NAC) to a Municipality, while Komna was granted NAC status, and Sinapali and Godal gram panchayats were merged to form Sinapali NAC.
This was the Chief Minister’s third visit to Nuapada since assuming office. Including previous announcements, he has unveiled projects worth ₹1,420 crore for the district.
Highlighting the government’s focus on welfare, Majhi announced that sub-registration offices will be opened in all tehsils of Odisha. Of the 317 tehsils in the state, 210 already have such offices, while 107 more will soon be covered. In the first phase, sub-registration offices were opened in Sinapali, Komna, and Boden tehsils of Nuapada and Mathili, Kalimela, Khairput, and Kudumuluguma tehsils of Malkangiri.
The Chief Minister also announced significant hikes in scholarships — pre-matric scholarships increased from ₹10,500 to ₹16,000, while post-matric scholarships were raised to ₹16,000 for boys and ₹17,000 for girls. Under the Anwesha scheme, scholarships have been enhanced from ₹11,000 to ₹17,000.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to farmers and kendu leaf pluckers, Majhi said he had personally raised the issue of GST reduction on kendu leaves at the GST Council meeting. As a result, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the GST rate was reduced from 18% to 5%, benefiting lakhs of kendu leaf workers.
Majhi further highlighted that since the new double-engine government came to power, the Centre has sanctioned railway projects worth ₹30,000 crore for Odisha, including two projects for Nuapada.
Lauding Nuapada’s performance in state welfare schemes, the Chief Minister noted that 1.55 lakh women have benefited from the Subhadra Yojana, 2,548 families have received homes under the Antodaya Gruha Yojana, and the district has been declared single-use plastic-free. Nuapada also leads the state in MGNREGA implementation, providing employment to over 60,000 workers daily.
He added that the Western Odisha Development Council has been strengthened with increased funds, and the government plans to establish separate development councils for northern and southern Odisha to address regional disparities.
Several cabinet ministers accompanied the Chief Minister during the visit. Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling described Majhi’s administration as a “people’s government,” while Education and ST-SC Development Minister Nityananda Gond announced that 10 high schools in Nuapada have been upgraded to higher secondary level. Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik praised Nuapada for its polythene-free status and said steps are underway to expand employment opportunities in the KBK region.
The event was also attended by Kalahandi MP Malvika Devi, Rajya Sabha MP Sujit Kumar, and local representatives. Nuapada District Collector Madhusudan Dash delivered the welcome address, and Khariar Road NAC Chairperson Sonia Jain proposed the vote of thanks.
