Bhubaneswar, October 17: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi approved ₹56.55 crore to pay six months’ honoraria to sarpanches and naib sarpanches across the state.

As panchayat elections are scheduled for 2027, the decision is being viewed as an outreach initiative by the Mohan Majhi-led government towards elected panchayat representatives, who form a crucial link between the administration and rural communities. Sarpanches and naib sarpanches play a significant role in shaping public opinion at the grassroots level and ensuring the implementation of government welfare schemes.

The honorarium will cover the six months from April 1 to September 30, 2026. Under the approved arrangement, each sarpanch will receive ₹10,000 per month, while each naib sarpanch will be paid ₹4,000 per month. The decision is expected to benefit thousands of elected representatives across Odisha’s 6,794 gram panchayats.

Sarpanches have long been demanding the timely disbursement of their honorarium. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), the latest decision aims to ensure regular payments to grassroots representatives who play an important role in local governance and rural development.

The state government has also initiated measures to strengthen the financial powers of panchayats and improve transparency in the implementation of rural development programmes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and the Jal Jeevan Mission.

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With both the ruling BJP and the opposition BJD seeking to consolidate their grassroots presence ahead of the next panchayat elections, the release of the honorarium could help the Majhi government strengthen its engagement with elected rural representatives and reinforce the ruling party’s outreach in villages across the state.