Bhubaneswar: A one-day induction workshop for elected representatives of Urban Local Bodies on transformative Urban Odisha was held today in line with the 5T mandate.
The primary objective of the workshop was to sensitize the People’s Representatives of ULBs on various ongoing programmes and the implementation modalities of how to go about effectively implementing it systematically for the benefit of the Urban Poor across the state.
Director, of Municipal Administration Sangramjit Nayak set the context for the day by emphasizing upon the fact that only the knowledge-based active involvement of the elected representatives could bring a change in urban transformation.
Considering the massive hike in the budget of H & UD Department, all elected representatives should take the lead in creating more people-centric facilities to make their city beautiful. He added that women empowerment and participation of the local community are key that has triggered an era of improved governance across 115 ULBs in the state.
He also suggested that tax collection at the ULB level should be accorded special priority. Last but not least he said that all of you are leaders and can create opportunities for the growth of the ULB.
At the outset Mr Sarada Prasad Panda, Project Director, SUDA, welcomed all elected representatives and requested them to get involved purposefully as City Leaders to transform the life of the people and the area as a whole. Sri Panda gave a vivid picture on MUKTA and AAHAR programme and elaborated the future aspects and their involvement in the programme.
Panda going to details about the MUKTA – a flagship programme of Govt of Odisha, focused on the identification of need-based projects, participation of Mission Shakti Group in the implementation of the projects, submission of a realistic plan of action for the year 2023–24 etc.
He added that there is huge scope for taking different initiatives that aim at creating assets to enhance the life and livelihood of the people in the Urban Area. He requested all elected representatives to pay special attention to the timely release of payment to the Wage Seekers and Mission Shakti Groups.
Among others, Special Secretary Sagarika Patnaik, Additional Secretary Binaya Dash, Sourendra Routray, Durgesh Nandini Sahoo, Debasisi Singh and OSD-cum-Spl Secretary Sanjaya Parmanik enlightened on Water body rejuvenation, Urban Sanitation, JAGA Mission, 15th Finance Commission fund utilisation, Community partnership, Urban Housing and Municipal Finance management etc.
Chairman, Vice Chairman and councillors from 18 urban local bodies ie Baripada, Rairangpur, Udala, Karanjia, Keonjhar, Champua, Joda, Barbil, Anandpur , Bhadrak, Dhamnagar, Basudevpur, Chandbali, Balasore, Jaleswar, Soro, and Nilgiri, attended the workshop held at Lok Seva Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.
