.webp)
Bhubaneswar, August 4: Odisha Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Tuesday chaired the All Secretaries' meeting at Kharavela Bhawan, with discussions centering on post-flood restoration, infrastructure repairs, healthcare services, financial performance, and the state's long-term development agenda.
At the outset, Garg congratulated the Shri Jagannath Temple Administration, Puri district administration, police personnel, and various state government departments for the successful conduct of this year's world-famous Puri Rath Yatra.
She directed officials to accord top priority to post-flood damage assessment, relief distribution, restoration of damaged infrastructure, drainage clearance, embankment repairs, rehabilitation measures, and healthcare services. She instructed departments to carry out the work on a war footing to ensure speedy recovery in flood-affected areas.
Finance Department Principal Secretary Sanjeeb Kumar Mishra presented the state's financial performance up to the end of July, informing the meeting that revenue collections from various sources had increased compared to the corresponding period last year.
Capital expenditure on infrastructure rose by 20.2 per cent, while spending on the social sector increased by 16.1 per cent. After reviewing departmental expenditure, the Chief Secretary asked all departments to accelerate spending in line with targets set for the current financial year.
As part of the Developed Odisha Vision 2036 and 2047, Gajapati Collector Akshaya Sunil Agrawal presented a comprehensive roadmap featuring 25 major development projects aimed at transforming the district.
The roadmap envisions Gajapati as a major hub for nature, heritage, and spiritual tourism through integrated development of waterfalls, promotion of Mahendragiri Eco-Tourism and an Eco-Adventure Festival, development of the Jiranga Buddhist Centre, heritage conservation of the Brundaban Raj Palace at Paralakhemundi, and development of the Ramsagar Waterfront.
The plan also includes promoting forest-based industries, establishing at least one millet processing unit in every gram panchayat, developing "Dream Homes" to support students, and installing solar power systems in all gram panchayat offices.
The Collector informed that the district's mega drinking water projects, currently under construction, are expected to be completed between May and December 2027.
Other key proposals include ensuring iron-free drinking water, developing the Nuagaon Barrage and the Cheligada Irrigation Project, expanding National Highway-326, developing the Mohana-Koraput Economic Corridor, constructing the Paralakhemundi Bypass Road and a new Mahendratanaya Bridge, besides strengthening tribal development, horticulture, food processing, and livelihood programmes.
The meeting also reviewed the success of Gajapati's'Prayas Super-30'initiative, which provides specialised coaching and mentoring to Class X students. The programme helped the district achieve a remarkable 99.35 per cent pass rate in the 2025 High School Certificate Examination and is continuing with enhanced academic support.
The district was also appreciated for being selected for a National Award by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, for innovation and excellence in educational administration.
Other education and social development initiatives discussed included the transformation of SSD, Ashram and Sevashram schools under the'Sankalp O Samarpan'programme, construction of PM SHRI and Godabarish Model Primary Schools, upgradation of Anganwadi centres, development of block-level mini stadiums, and efforts to eliminate maternal and infant mortality.
Secretaries from various departments participated in the discussion and offered suggestions to strengthen the district's development roadmap. The Chief Secretary urged all departments to work in close coordination to ensure its successful implementation.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the implementation of recent State Cabinet decisions and directed departments to ensure timely execution of approved proposals through regular monitoring and strict compliance.
Development Commissioner Deoranjan Kumar Singh emphasised the need for Secretaries to undertake regular district visits to monitor the implementation of government schemes. He directed officials to submit reports on visits conducted by Secretaries and senior officers during the previous month.
The meeting further stressed coordinated efforts among departments to tackle cybercrime and strengthen anti-drug awareness campaigns through continuous monitoring and public outreach.
.webp)
