Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Thursday reviewed the state’s development programmes, financial performance and public welfare initiatives at a secretarial-level meeting held at Kharavela Bhawan here, while calling for faster and outcome-oriented implementation of budgeted schemes and projects.
The meeting, attended by Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretaries and Secretaries of various departments, took stock of departmental programmes, schemes, expenditure and ongoing development projects.
Garg appreciated several people-centric initiatives undertaken by different departments in August, including free textbooks for students of Classes IX and X, removal of the cap on attempts in OPSC examinations, disbursement of the fifth instalment under the Subhadra scheme and the successful conduct of the second National Garima Sammelan.
She said such measures would contribute to human resource development, women’s empowerment, good governance and inclusive growth.
The Finance Department presented an overview of the state’s revenue and expenditure position, stating that total expenditure and scheme expenditure up to August this financial year had improved over the corresponding period last year, while capital expenditure and revenue collection had also registered growth.
Reviewing the spending pattern of departments, Garg directed Secretaries to expedite implementation of projects in line with approved budgetary provisions and improve expenditure rates without compromising quality or outcomes.
The meeting also focused on the development roadmap for Khordha district in line with the objectives of Developed Odisha 2036 and Developed India 2047. Khordha Collector Amrit Rituraj presented a plan covering 25 strategic projects, with emphasis on industry, infrastructure, agriculture, sports, tourism, heritage and knowledge-based development.
The roadmap includes proposals for multi-utility facilities such as Kalyan Mandaps, rural markets, model parks and ponds at the gram panchayat level. Begunia-Bolagarh and Tangi have been proposed for development as industrial zones to attract investment, generate employment and encourage MSME-linked ancillary industries.
The plan also envisages modern block-level convention centres, expansion and capacity enhancement of the Khordha-Vizianagaram railway line, and the strategic Hata Ring Road to improve connectivity between the capital and coastal areas while supporting logistics, industry and tourism.
Strengthening sports infrastructure and training facilities, widening the Jayadev Vihar-Nandankanan road, constructing flyovers and improving connecting roads also formed part of the proposals.
The roadmap further proposes conservation of heritage sites, development of the Balakati brass and bell-metal craft cluster, improved irrigation infrastructure, early implementation of the Rajua Diversion Weir project and development of Chilika as an eco-tourism circuit.
The Paika Memorial Cultural Centre has been proposed as a heritage and educational tourism hub featuring a digital museum, interpretation centre, research facilities and cultural exhibitions.
The meeting also discussed developing the Innovation Hub at Capital Science City as a centre for science, technology, research and innovation and positioning Khordha as a major knowledge and innovation hub.
