Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday reviewed the state’s post-flood response, financial performance and implementation of key government programmes, while directing all departments to ensure time-bound execution of Cabinet decisions and development projects.
Chairing a secretary-level meeting at Kharavela Bhawan, Garg thanked the Shree Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri district administration and various state government departments for the successful conduct of this year’s world-famous Rath Yatra. She also commended officials and district administrations for their round-the-clock efforts in managing the recent flood situation triggered by continuous rainfall across several districts.
The Chief Secretary instructed departments to accord priority to post-flood damage assessment, relief and rehabilitation, drainage of waterlogged areas, repair of embankments, stocking of essential commodities and strengthening of health services. She also reviewed other major initiatives undertaken by the state government over the past fortnight.
Principal Secretary, Finance, Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra presented the state’s financial performance up to the end of July. The meeting was informed that revenue collections from various sources had increased compared to the corresponding period last year. Capital expenditure on infrastructure registered a 20.2 per cent increase, while spending in the social sector rose by 16.1 per cent. Reviewing departmental expenditure, Garg directed secretaries to adhere to budgetary targets and accelerate spending.
The meeting also reviewed a comprehensive development roadmap for Gajapati district presented by Collector Akshaya Sunil Agarwal as part of Odisha’s long-term vision for 2036 and 2047. The roadmap outlines 25 major projects aimed at transforming the district into a hub for nature, heritage and spiritual tourism.
Among the proposals are integrated development of waterfall tourism circuits, promotion of Jiranga Buddhist Peeth, Mahendragiri eco-tourism and eco-adventure festival, conservation of the Brindavan Raj Prasada at Paralakhemundi, development of the Ramasagar waterfront, port-based industrialisation, establishment of one milestone project in every Gram Panchayat, construction of “Dream Houses” to encourage education and aspirations among students, and installation of solar power systems in all Gram Panchayat buildings.
The Collector also informed that mega drinking water projects currently under implementation are expected to be completed between May and December 2027. Other proposals include ensuring iron-free safe drinking water, expediting the Nuagaon Barrage and Cheligarh irrigation projects, development of the Mohana-Koraput economic corridor under the National Highway-326 expansion project, construction of the Paralakhemundi bypass road and a new Mahendratanaya bridge, besides initiatives for tribal development, livelihood generation, horticulture and food processing.
The meeting highlighted the success of Gajapati’s “Prayas Super-30” programme, which recorded a 99.35 per cent pass rate in the 2025 High School Certificate examination by providing intensive academic support to selected Class X students. The district has also been nominated for a national award by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, for innovation and good practices in educational administration.
The roadmap further includes initiatives such as the “Sankalp O Samarpan” programme for strengthening education in SSD, Ashram and Sevashram schools, development of PM Shri and Godabarisha model primary schools, upgrading Anganwadi centres, construction of block-level mini stadiums and efforts to eliminate maternal and child mortality in the district.
Secretaries of various departments offered suggestions on the district’s development plan, while the Chief Secretary stressed coordinated implementation of the proposed roadmap.
Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary Deoranjan Kumar Singh emphasised regular district visits by departmental secretaries to monitor implementation of government schemes and directed officers to submit reports on their recent field visits.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation status of decisions taken in recent Cabinet meetings and directed departments to ensure regular follow-up and timely execution of approved proposals. The meeting additionally stressed inter-departmental coordination, public awareness campaigns and regular reviews to strengthen cybercrime control measures and the state’s anti-drug campaign.
