Bhubaneswar: Marking the completion of one year in office, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Wednesday inaugurated the State-Level Bikash Mela–2025 at the IDCO Exhibition Ground here .
The event, organised as part of the state government’s anniversary celebrations, is being seen as both a showcase of achievements and a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to inclusive development. The mela will continue until June 18.
The Chief Minister visited various exhibition stalls highlighting the work of departments and showcasing Odisha’s rich tapestry of handlooms, handicrafts, and local enterprise. A food court has also been set up, featuring over 40 stalls operated by women under the Subhadra Shakti initiative, offering a diverse range of traditional Odia delicacies.
Addressing a large gathering, Chief Minister Majhi reflected on the journey of the past year. He noted that the people of Odisha had ushered in a change in governance on the strength of their aspirations and trust, and that his government had worked with unwavering dedication to honour that trust.
“The past year has brought us many challenges, but we have transformed them into opportunities. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have delivered on many of our key promises. Our commitments are not fleeting like lines drawn on water, but enduring like carvings on stone. We have kept our word,” he said.
The Chief Minister emphasised that the core of democracy lies in the ability of people to express themselves and be heard.
He pointed out that since assuming office, he has made it a priority to personally meet citizens across districts to resolve grievances on the spot.
He cited the unique initiative where the entire state administration was relocated to Sambalpur for a Jan Sunani session as an example of the government’s direct engagement with the public. He announced his plans to continue visiting constituencies across the state in the coming months.
CM Majhi also declared that a war against corruption had been launched, asserting that no official—be it a peon or an IAS officer—is above scrutiny.
He claimed that the government had fulfilled almost all of the 21 promises it made at the start of its tenure. Backed by the Centre and Prime Minister Modi’s support, the state government had worked to empower every section of society—particularly the poor, farmers, women, and youth.
Responding to critics, he remarked that what the opposition could not accomplish in 24 years, his government had achieved in 24 minutes.
Among the major achievements highlighted were a significant rise in the income of farming families under the Krushak Kalyan Yojana, the creation of over 27,000 government jobs, the increase in the upper age limit for government employment to 42 years, and the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat health scheme.
He noted that SEBC students had been granted 11.25 percent reservation in higher education, and that investments worth ₹17 lakh crore under the Utkarsh Odisha 2025 initiative had created nearly 13 lakh jobs. The formation of the South Odisha and North Odisha Development Councils, he said, was intended to ensure equitable development across all regions.
Minister for Cooperation, Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Pradeep Bal Samanta, in his address, said that under Prime Minister Modi’s leadership, Odisha was striving for self-reliance and prosperity at every level. The recently launched Vikashit Gaon Vikashit Odisha Yojana, he said, aimed to realise the dream of a developed Odisha through the social, cultural, and economic upliftment of its villages.
Also present at the event were Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Women and Child Development and Tourism Pravati Parida, and Ekamra Bhubaneswar MLA Babu Singh.
Guha Poonam Tapas Kumar, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Handlooms, Textiles, and Handicrafts Department, delivered the vote of thanks.
