Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced the establishment of a sugar mill and a textile park in Balangir during the state-level celebration of National Panchayati Raj Day on Friday. He participated in the event and highlighted the evolving role of Panchayati Raj institutions, emphasizing their expanded responsibilities beyond scheme implementation to include social, economic, and infrastructural development at the grassroots level.
Addressing the gathering, CM Majhi emphasized that Panchayati Raj bodies have gone beyond merely implementing schemes. They are now playing a leading role in social, economic, basic infrastructure, human welfare, and natural resource management.
Majhi stated that National Panchayati Raj Day is not merely a meeting or gathering, but a day dedicated to awakening the fundamental power of rural self-governance and grassroots democracy.
He added that three decades after the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, the Panchayati Raj system is now passing through a critical and important phase. Active participation of the people and innovative thinking alone can make this system more dynamic and effective, he emphasized. He further reiterated that under the strong and visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the state government is fully committed to realizing the goal of building a Developed India (Viksit Bharat).
Chief Minister Majhi firmly asserted that his government is giving top priority to the protection of water, land, and forests in rural areas, along with education, healthcare, employment generation, and women’s empowerment. On this occasion, CM Majhi inaugurated development projects worth Rs 580 crore for Balangir district. This includes the inauguration of 268 projects valued at Rs 329 crore and the laying of foundation stones for 36 projects amounting to Rs 252 crore. Among these, the foundation stone was also laid for a new Nursing College at Bhima Bhoi Medical College.
Majhi inspired Panchayat representatives by sharing his personal experiences and insights from his tenure as a Sarpanch. He stated that the time has now come for Panchayat representatives to work dedicatedly for the holistic development of the poor, women, youth, and farmers. On the occasion, the Chief Minister felicitated districts, blocks, and Gram Panchayats that have excelled in the implementation of MGNREGS and rural housing schemes.
Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said that creating strong and vibrant villages is the fundamental objective of the government for building a Developed Odisha. He stressed that Panchayati Raj institutions must be further strengthened to achieve this goal.
Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Minister Rabi Narayan Naik described rural empowerment and people-centric governance as the major pillars of Developed Odisha. He informed that the state budget for 2026-27 has allocated Rs 44,309 crore for rural development, reflecting the government’s strong commitment to the overall progress of rural Odisha.
Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Mukesh Mahaling remarked that under the ‘Double Engine Government’ — led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi in the state — the benefits of the Panchayati Raj system are now reaching every household. He added that the government is providing all necessary facilities to rural people through the Panchayati Raj Department.
The event was attended by Kantabanji MLA Laxman Bag, Titlagarh MLA Nabin Kumar Jain, Balangir Zilla Parishad Chairperson Debaki Sahu, and other dignitaries. Several ministers and MLAs from different districts joined the programme virtually. Panchayati Raj Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish SN welcomed the gathering, while Balangir District Collector Gaurav Shivaji Isalwar delivered the vote of thanks.
