Bhubaneswar, September 4: Panchayati Raj Minister, Rabi Narayan Naik, announced that Sarpanches in the state will soon work independently with full authority. This declaration came in response to a question posed by Congress Legislature Party Leader, Ramchandra Kadam, during a legislative session.
Minister Naik revealed that the Odisha government is set to implement the Provisions of the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, also known as PESA, across the state. He emphasized that under the PESA Act, Sarpanches will be empowered to operate autonomously.
Criticizing the previous government led by Naveen Patnaik, Naik stated, "Former Chief Minister Biju Patnaik referred to Sarpanches as the Chief Ministers of their Gram Panchayats. The previous government granted Sarpanches the powers of district Collectors during the COVID-19 pandemic but later stripped them of these authorities. However, under the current Mohan Majhi government, which is truly a people's government, power will be restored to the people's representatives."
Naik further added that the state government will soon enforce the PESA Act, ensuring that Sarpanches can exercise all 22 powers enshrined in the legislation.
