Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized the importance of public service and commitment to the welfare of the people while addressing a ‘Nijukti Mela’ (job fair) organized at the Krushi Sikhya Sadan on Tuesday. During the event, he distributed appointment letters to 812 newly recruited officials across five departments, expressing confidence in their efficiency and dedication.
In his address, the Chief Minister stated, “Government jobs are dedicated to public service. It is essential to remain committed to fulfilling the hopes and aspirations of the people and resolving their issues. I hope you will never break the trust of the public under any circumstances. Every decision and action should aim at public welfare.”
The newly recruited officials include 442 Ayush Assistants from the Health Department’s Ayush Directorate, 65 Soil Conservation Extension Workers from the Agriculture Department, 33 Assistant Horticulture Officers, 48 Management Trainees from the Energy Department, 12 Junior Assistants and 14 Amins from the Water Resources Department, and 189 Junior Mining Officers and 9 Junior Assistants from the Steel and Mines Department.
Highlighting the importance of skilled human resources, the Chief Minister said, “Competent and efficient human resources are indispensable for making the development process dynamic and fruitful. They ensure that the government system remains active and vigilant, providing timely services to the public.” He added that the government has initiated the recruitment process to fill vacant positions across departments and is committed to the state’s development.
The Chief Minister revealed that a high-level review meeting was held after the government assumed office, where heads of recruitment agencies and senior officials were instructed to identify and fill vacancies by the end of March this year. “We are committed to providing 65,000 jobs in the first two years and 1.5 lakh jobs in the government sector within five years,” he said.
In the last nine months, the government has organized seven job fairs, providing employment to over 24,000 individuals. Today’s event marked the eighth phase, with 812 officers and employees receiving appointment letters. So far, more than 25,000 jobs have been provided through these initiatives.
The Chief Minister urged the newly recruited officials to remember their role as public servants. “No matter how high your position, you are not the owner but a servant. Prime Minister Narendra Modi always says he is not the Prime Minister but the ‘Pradhan Sevak’ (Chief Servant). Keep this mantra in mind, and you will never deviate from public service,” he said.
He also highlighted the central government’s initiatives, including the foundation stone laid by Prime Minister Modi for the Central Institute of Yoga and Naturopathy Research at Gothapatna near Bhubaneswar. “This will promote yoga and naturopathy in Odisha. Our government is committed to improving the Ayush healthcare system and will soon establish three 50-bed integrated Ayush hospitals in Dhenkanal, Berhampur, and Balasore under the National Ayush Mission,” he added.
The Chief Minister further announced plans to establish Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in every panchayat, with a budget of ₹500 crore allocated for this purpose. He also mentioned the central government’s decision to set up a National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research and an All India Institute of Speech and Hearing in Odisha, which will boost the state’s healthcare sector.
On the agricultural front, the Chief Minister stressed the importance of soil conservation and the role of Soil Conservation Extension Workers in protecting land and water resources. He also emphasized the need for dynamic efforts in the Energy, Water Resources, and Steel and Mines departments, as well as the development of the rural economy through horticulture.
The event was attended by Health and Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena, and Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja. They encouraged the newly appointed officials to work with patience, tolerance, and efficiency.
Newly recruited officers and employees shared their experiences and expressed gratitude to the state government for its transparent recruitment process. Additional Chief Secretary of the Steel and Mines Department, Surendra Kumar, delivered the welcome address, while Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department, Ashwathi S, gave the vote of thanks.
