BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Sunday virtually laid the foundation stone for 471 gram panchayat office buildings and distributed the first instalment of Rs 40,000 each to 48,693 beneficiaries under the Antyodaya Gruha Yojana (AGY). The funds were disbursed covering 28 districts except Nuapada and Kalahandi due to the upcoming by-election in Nuapada.
Speaking on the occasion at the Lok Seva Bhawan here, the chief minister termed it a new chapter initiated by the state government for rural development ahead of Diwali. “This reflects the government’s commitment to building a prosperous Odisha. The 471 new GP offices will serve as ‘new temples’ of service, providing dignity, convenience and solutions under one roof,” he added.
Majhi said Rs 194.77 crore was disbursed in the first instalment and beneficiaries will receive Rs 65,000 in the second instalment and Rs 15,000 in the third, totalling to Rs 1.20 lakh per person under the scheme.
Urging beneficiaries to complete their houses in time, the chief minister said incentives of Rs 20,000 will be provided to those who complete their houses within four months and Rs 10,000 for completion in six months. He said all beneficiaries will receive 95 days’ wages in integrated action plan (IAP) districts and 90 days’ wages in non-IAP districts under MGNREGA. The beneficiaries will also receive basic amenities like toilets and piped water ensuring a dignified life for all citizens, Majhi added.
“The government launched Antyodaya Gruha Yojana on March 30 this year to provide houses to the poorest of the poor with a provision of Rs 7,550 crore for 2024-25 to 2027-28, aiming to construct five lakh houses. It has already issued work order to over 1.1 lakh beneficiaries in two phases,” he said.
Majhi further emphasised that his government’s motto is to serve the people, not govern them. “Gram panchayats are being developed as centres for public welfare and service under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Each new GP office will be constructed at a cost of Rs 35 lakh and will have separate rooms for officials. It will serve as a ‘one stop service centre’ providing all services under one roof,” he said.
Majhi noted that the panchayat officers will set new milestones in public service, rural development and scheme implementation. “The initiative is not just about building structures but a step towards good governance, service and progress in rural Odisha,” he said.
He interacted with beneficiaries and sarpanches from various districts though video conference, and discussed about the implementation of various government schemes. Panchayati Raj minister Rabi Narayan Naik joined the programme here while ministers, MPs and MLAs participated from their respective districts.
