Bhubaneswar, September 21: The Odisha Government and SELCO Foundation have signed an MoU to promote inclusive and sustainable development in southern Odisha.
In the presence of Chief Secretary Anu Garg, Commissioner-cum-Secretary Girish S.N. and SELCO Foundation Chief Finance Officer V.K. Joby signed the agreement.
The initiative will initially cover six districts—Kalahandi, Rayagada, Gajapati, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Malkangiri. It will focus on sustainable livelihoods, health and nutrition, clean energy, climate resilience, skill development, entrepreneurship and indigenous innovation.
The partnership will strengthen existing government schemes through technology, technical expertise, innovation and capacity building. It will also support farmers, women, self-help groups, youth, artisans, tribal communities, persons with disabilities and rural entrepreneurs through skills, technology and market linkages.
A key component will be the establishment of‘Seva Hubs’, which will facilitate coordination, identify local needs, build capacity and connect beneficiaries with technology and financial services.
The MoU will remain valid for five years. Chief Secretary Garg directed that the progress of programmes be reviewed monthly by the Panchayati Raj and Drinking Water Department, with review meetings at the Chief Secretary level twice a year.
Garg said prosperity, well-being and equality are the three pillars of Viksit Odisha 2036 and Viksit Bharat 2047, and stressed the need for integrated efforts to ensure inclusive development across southern Odisha.
Former NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam and SELCO Foundation founder Harish Hande also joined the meeting virtually.
